Hilario Estrella
Philippine Army officer / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Hilario A. Estrella is a retired Philippine Army officer and a recipient the Philippines' highest military award for courage, the Medal of Valor.[2]
Hilario A. Estrella | |
---|---|
Allegiance | Philippines |
Service/ | Army |
Rank | Colonel |
Service number | O-8007[1] |
Commands held | Charlie Company, 33rd Infantry Battalion, 1st Infantry Division |
Battles/wars | Communist rebellion in the Philippines |
Awards | Medal of Valor |
Lieutenant Estrella was the commander of a company detachment belonging to the 1st Infantry Division in Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines when it was attacked by 200 New People's Army rebels[3] on 1 December 1984. The 32-man detachment held off the attackers for seven hours under Estrella's leadership. Ten of his men were killed and several were wounded, including Estrella. When the attackers withdrew, they left behind twenty-two dead, including three of their commanders.
In March 1987, Estrella was rehearsing for his Medal of Valor conferment at the Philippine Military Academy when a bomb placed on the roof of the grandstand the exercise was being held in exploded.[4] The bomb was apparently meant to kill President Corazon Aquino who was to address the graduating class and confer military awards and decorations.[5] Estrella suffered burns, while three other officers and a civilian died in the blast. Estrella's family believes that the bombing triggered the deterioration of his mental health.[3] In January 2011, he was arrested after he took his family hostage in Quezon City. No charges were filed against him.[6]