First Lieutenant (1Lt.) Ralph Pantonial was one of the Filipino soldier who was involved and slain during an encounter with the New People’s Army (NPA) in Compostela Valley was an achiever during his school days but he has gone too soon.
The young junior officer was the commanding officer of the Charlie Company in the Philippine Army’s 46th Infantry Battalion during a clash with the NPA in the rebel-infested Sitio Sapang Tin-aw, Pantukan, Compostela Valley on Wednesday afternoon, February 3, 2016.
The 28-year-old 1Lt. Pantonial and his men encountered about 60 communist for about 30 minutes. He was killed and his other comrade Private First Class Eulezys Bantulo, while PFC Sabido and Corporal Veluntra were injured by the rebels when a bomb set by the communist blew.
1st Lt. Ralph Pantonial is an achiever during his time in the Philippine Military Academy Class of 2010 finishing 14th in the whole batch. Before he entered the PMA, he studied at the University of Mindanao for about a year.
During his high school days, he studied at the Philippine Science High School in Davao City and spent his Elementary days in Ateneo de Davao.
As a member of the Philippine Army, he served as a paratrooper, finished second in his Special Forces Operations Course in 2013 and was awarded with a Gold Cross Medal, the third highest honor in combat during the year 2014.
The junior officer was recognized for their offensive operations against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Reina Regente in Maguindanao.
