Igorot soldier Captain Capio described as the "Tarzan" for his bravery in battle

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte paid his respect to fallen soldier Captain L. Capio at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio yesterday.

Captain Capio was this year's first casualty in the ongoing fight against the bandit group Abu Sayyaf in Cabcaban, Sumisip Basilan on January 12, 2017.

Capt. Clintion Capio was hit during a nine-hour firefight with about 60 to 80 Abu Sayyaf members led by Furuji Indama in the jungle of Basilan.

Capio was the commanding officer of the 1st Special Force Company tasked to provide support to their fellow wounded soldiers who were pinned down. After two hours of intense firefight, Capio was hit by single enemy bullet in his right side temple, just a centimeter from the cover of his Kevlar helmet.

"He was wearing helmet but the angle of the cap might had been in an open position because they were moving in for assault when he was unfortunately hit, according to Western Command spokesperson Maj. Filemon Tan.

Captain Capio, who came from Bugias, Benguet was a member of the Philippine Military Academy class of 2006 under the Mandala Class (Mandirigmang Dangal ng Lahi)

His fellow soldiers has described him as the "Tarzan" for his bravery and for being always on top in ranger course training.

He is a "fighting leader" who "fights from the front' said 1Lt, Ron, JR Villarosa from the 4th Special Forces Battalion. Capio will be remembered as a "fighting leader who never let his troops down."

Remains of Capt. Capio will be flown to Baguio via C-130 and later transported to his hometown in Buguias. He will be given a hero's burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani

- PCG and Philstar