We learned from Roger’s former professor, Engr. Lizette Ivy Catadman-Pascual that the military officer who perished is the brave Centralian 1st Lt. Roger Flores.
Let us also salute the six soldiers who gave their lives together with Lt. Flores. Pray for comfort and peace for their families.
Tributes
JM ALABE MEJORADA:
“sa Force Reconnaissance Company ako na assign, jm and we are station here in Sulu. God bless, bro. halong man.”
“I will always remember the trust and confidence that you are giving to us. AFP needs that. Salamat, jm.”
I never knew that this would be the last words I would be hearing from you in our chat in FB pre, and even in those words I can always hear the idealism that you have carried since our college days sa engineering. Some might have scoffed at your idealistic nature and you may have made a few enemies during our time but what always struck me most was how you lived up to your ideals and morals even if it meant standing against the crowd.
Centralian, former Koalisyon, PMAer, Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines awardee, studied in prestigious US military schools, Special Forces officer of Marines Force Recon, you had a bright future ahead of you bro, and i always joked that someday not only you’d be a general, but a leader of the AFP and will lead the change that will rid the system of its perceived corruption.
But now, the Abu Sayyaf has taken you away from all of us. I am still shocked because I wanted you to become a leader someday, one that will help change the system and revolutionize our armed forces. I knew in our conversations that you are capable of doing that. But sadly, your time has come and though we do not know why, maybe God needs more soldiers up there.
thank you gid for the sacrifice pre! Up to your dying breath you lived your ideals, that is sacrificing everything for our motherland. You are a HERO in my book even then, more so now that you have become a martyr to the democracy we all enjoy now. Anyone who has shed their blood for the country will forever be remembered as a hero to the nation no matter what he has done in his life.
Kasubo gid… your potential was limitless pre. I am shocked gid even now. grieving for the loss of one hero who could have been a great leader someday. Thank you gid for the ultimate sacrifice. Maybe it is so, that one either dies a hero, or lives long enough to become the villain. maybe that held true in your case, I do not know, but all I know is that your potential was limitless.
SEMPER FI, Soldier! rest in peace, Lieutenant Roger Flores!!! 😦 😦 😦
(Philippine Marines-Force Recon, K.I.A., Patikul, Sulu, Mindanao. 19 June 2014)
JOHN MARK GABAWA:
We will miss you brother. It’s hard to believe that you’re gone. Let me share a little something about you that I came to know last 2009 only:
Roger Flores was born a fighter. He was not as fortunate in terms of finances than most. He have to fight his way up in life to survive, get an Engineering Degree and find his way to PMA.
Upon Roger’s graduation not all of his batch mates knew that he was a PMA topnotcher (including me). We met that same year and he never said anything about his achievement, typical Roger always humble and mysterious. We just had a simple chat of hi-hello-how-are-you, after that we parted ways.
Months after that, friends started talking about him as his life was featured in a TV if I’m not mistaken by WISH KO LANG (I’m not sure). It was a shocking revelation to most, yet he endured all the trials life can throw his way.
He never complained and fought fair and square. His dream was always to become a soldier and fight for what he believe is right and his ideals. KUDOS brother! Not all can do what you have done and not all can endure what you endured! KUDOS!
God Bless your family brother. May God give them comfort and may He touch the hearts of the AFP higher ups to give what is due to you and your family. I think you don’t deserve that death but God has a plan and God has already called you home. Rest in peace brother. God bless your family.
TZIETEL GERALDINE ALQUISADA:
I met him when I was congressman and he was senator of CPU Republic. He encouraged me to apply for Ayala Young Leaders as he had been part of it. Every time we meet he never failed to encourage me to excel in extra-curricular activities.
Kasubo man nga sa kataas sang handum kag sa katadlong sang dalan nadula kana. Rest assured you have left a good example for us.
Your body may have died but your ideals live in our hearts!
CHRISTINE CAYABYAB:
Gone too soon…
It’s very strange how someone with so much potential … So much deserving to reach his dreams is taken away from this cruel world.
May God envelope his family in His comforting embrace, let them know that Roger is with Him… because he was a faithful Christian.
I could only claim to be his personal acquaintance, he calls me manang… We only spoke a few times but in those conversations I know how mature he was.
He wants to be better, without compromising what is right. Integrity despite challenging circumstances, Dignity despite being less privileged, and Humble despite his accomplishments.
Rest in Peace.
ADOLFO TAC-AN NACION:
You were like a son to me and my family, Lt! Your name became a household echo to our ears as you were a close mistah to my son. A bunkmate, Coy mate (Foxtrot) to 1Lt Abner Trust B Nacion PAF of the 15th Strike Wing, PAF who went missing for a year when he and his PIC (pilot in command) Maj Jonathan Ybanez PAF crashed off Palawan island on 23 June 2013 and your mistah was recovered last 6 June 2014.
Life to both of you was so short, swift and secret. Your dreams and goals never ushered you to your distant future with glory and glitters but instead they have perished with you along the way. However, your ideals, visions and values as officers and gentlemen in the Armed Forces of the Philippines left us behind a legacy of steadfast spirit amidst pains and challenges to move on and traverse this life with the same gallantry of selfless devotion to duty and honor whichyou have shown.
Lt, like our son Abner, your ‘bok’, we will miss you so much. Your profession was more than a choice for it was a calling which our Almighty God had assigned to you in which case you hearkened unto; more than an option to serve for you offered it as a living sacrifice to God and country. You lived a life that was full and meaningful. And you died not in vain for our Filipino people are worth dying for. Therefore, there is nothing that we could ask for more from you for your life was measured not in terms of quantity but by quality.
My big snappy salute!
CPU DERECHO 
Mistah, Kabayan, Rest In Peace To, rest assured we will continue the fight.
BROTHER FIGHT A GOOD FIGHT HE GIVE UP HIS LIFE SO THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE. HIS COURAGE AND SUPREME SACRIFICE OF HIS LIFE WILL NOT BE IN VAIN. –
ONE MINUTE PRAYER TO OUR SOLDIERS IN THE FRONT LINE. – MAY YOU ALL REST IN PEACE.- BROTHERS….. Amen…
IN BEHALF OF CPU ROTC CROSS SWORDS FRASORITY ALUMNI. CONDOLENCE TO THE FAMILY OF OUR HERO BROTHER WHO UPHOLD THE CPU ROTC TRADITIONS OF BRAVERY IN JOINING THE SERVICE.
HOOORRRAH!!! BROTHER! REST IN THE HANDS OF OUR CREATOR.
We reflect upon your bravery and sacrifice Lt. Flores.You are a great loss for the nation, a deep sorrow for your friends and brothers. We salute you! More than the issues of the day, your story of leadership and bravery, with those of your troop who were killed in action are more important than the social and political information dominating our news today. You’re our hero!
I may not have been blessed by the privilege to know such a wonderful soul, but I want to thank you for giving up your life so that we may still enjoy peace. May your soul rest in peace. Thank You Sir!
You were like a son to me and my family, Lt! Your name became a household echoe to our ears as you were a close mistah to my son. A bunkmate, Coy mate (Foxtrot) to 1Lt Abner Trust B Nacion PAF of the 15th Strike Wing, PAF who went missing for a year when he and his PIC (pilot in command) Maj Jonathan Ybanez PAF crashed off Palawan island on 23 June 2013 and your mistah was recovered last 6 June 2014.
Life to both of you was so short, swift and secret. Your dreams and goals never ushered you to your distant future with glory and glitters but instead they have perished with you along the way. However, your ideals, visions and values as officers and gentlemen in the Armed Forces of the Philippines left us behind a legacy of steadfast spirit amidst pains and challenges to move on and traverse this life with the same gallantry of selfless devotion to duty and honor whichyou have shown.
Lt, like our son Abner, your ‘bok’, we will miss you so much. Your profession was more than a choice for it was a calling which our Almighty God had assigned to you in which case you hearkened unto; more than an option to serve for you offered it as a living sacrifice to God and country. You lived a life that was full and meaningful. And you died not in vain for our Filipino people are worth dying for. Therefore, there is nothing that we could ask for more from you for your life was measured not in terms of quantity but by quality.
My big snappy salute!
1LT ROGER FLORES PM fought the good fight. He finished the race. He kept the faith. And what is enstored for him is the great eternal life in heaven… As a father of his mistah 1Lt Abner Trust B Nacion PAF, we lost a hero but no more for he is now marching into the doors of heaven with a great trophy and that is what the Lord God Almighty has prepared for him, the gift of eternal life. We lost a friend but not anymore for the Lord Jesus is comforting him, the greatest friend of all… We do not see and hear him anymore but we shall be with him in sweet bye and bye… paalam mahal naming ‘bok’!
BUHAY MANDIRIGMA
by Roger Flores
Year 2012
Ako po si Roger M. Flores na taga Tanza, Iloilo City. 28 years old at Executive Officer ng 64th Marine Company (Reconnaissance) ng Philippine Marines na naka-istasyon ngayon dito sa Jolo, Sulu. Kahit nakapagtapos na po ako ng Electrical Engineering noong taong 2005 at nakatanggap ng maraming alok na trabaho sa iba’t ibang kumpanya dahil sa hinirang ako na Most Outstanding Electrical Engineering Graduate sa batch ko at nakasama rin ako sa hinirang ng Markprof Foundation na Top 25 Marketing Management Trainees of the Philippines noong taong 2004, nagdesisyon pa rin ako na talikuran ang magandang buhay na nakaabang sakin bilang ehinyero para lamang maging isang sudalo dahil naniniwala ako na ang ating tunay na pag-unlad ay magsisimula lamang kung meron ng kapayapaan at seguridad sa ating bansa.
Nang matapos ko ang aking Basic Officer Course ko sa Estados Unidos ay nagvolunteer akong magtraining ng Force Reconnaissance Course kahit alam ko na isa ito sa pinakamahirap na training sa AFP na kung saan 2 hours lamang ang tulog sa bawat araw. Kailangan ipasa ang iba’t ibang pagsubok gaya ng pagtakbo ng 25km na may rucksack na may bigat na 65 pounds, suspender, at baril sa loob ng 4 na oras; pagthreading sa tubig ng 2 hours na naka full combat gear; paglangoy ng 5 miles na naka full combat gear na may dalang 20 pounds na suspender at baril; at marami pang mahihirap na pagsubok.
Ako ang O1 (pinakasenior) sa klase at hindi biro ang maging O1 dahil sakin nakatalaga ang pagdidisiplina at pagdidessiminate ng lahat na utos mula sa directorates. Habang natutulog na ang aking mga kaklase, gising pa rin ako upang kunin ang mga dissemination para sa susunod na araw. Kasama rin ako kapag may individual punishment ang kaklase ko. Kailangan kong magampanan ang lahat ng ito dahil sakin nakasalalay ang buhay ng aking mga kaklase sapagkat ako ang mamumuno sa kanila sa aming Test Mission na kung saan isang pagkakamali ko lang ay buhay naming ang magiging kapalit. Hindi kaya ng lakas ng ordinaryong tao na magampanan ang mga responsibilidad na ibinigay sakin kaya naghanap ako ng paghuhugutan ng extra tibay at lakas kaya sumubok ako ng mga energy drinks.
Source: Excerpted from Cobra Mga Kwentong Tunay na Lakas
Now those people who always lambasted PMA graduates as corrupt, what can you say? Can you live the life this fine young soldier choose. Can you be in the battlefront serving the country in exchange of your life, fighting the enemy knowing you are also confronting death.
May your soul rest in peace and live in an eternal life soldier. You’ve done well and good. Your life is not wasted but it will be always be remembered not only by your comrades but also by us, the ordinary people you truly served…
OOOORAH!!!!!!!!!!!!
classmate/ sir Rest in Peace sayang hindi tayo nag kita ng nasa military world na tayo dami sana mapag usapan natin, akala ko pa nasa US ka nag schooling nabalitaan ko nalang na digrasya ka pa sa jolo masama man sa luob ng nawalan ka ng kababatang kaibigan at classmate, pero wala pala pagkataon na mag usap at bonding tayo sir… but i’m proud of you classmate and a big snappy salute! hooyah! kami na ang bahala classmate pahinga kna see you in next life…REST in Peace Classmate/brother/friend/SIR!!!
Rest in peace sir
47 applied for CPU ROTC 4cl cadet officer year 2001.. 47 pupils did applied and became 4class officers.. after 4years duwa lang kami ni nag graduate advance MS 41 1st class sy-2004-05 same year we did took PMA exam but i refused to go ahead! bud, hambal mu mag abot ka malagaw pa ta, read this just now… nugon flo!! salute ku cmu biskan diin ka man… “we r d masters of our soul and captain of our ship” “banat bro, bira samtang indi cla kagwanta” your famous lines.. ” POVERTY IS NOT AN Hindrance to SUCCESS” kapila ku gid ni suliton sa tawo ku subong classic example ka gid! masyar ku sa inyo tol, ahay c uyabon mu ga busong pa… i will pray for you bud! nugon…
God Bless the family of 1LT Roger Flores! the country/nation owes him and his loved ones a great gratitude! Our deepest sympathy!
As your former instructor in the ROTC I salute you and farewell! This is such a tragedy. We will see each other again Buddy!
Mga Mistah! Ingat kayo dyan kung saan man kayo! Mga buddies kong Centralians in service sa Army sina S Catipunan and FJ Magbanua, A Labordo; sa Marines JJ Policar and many others, wherever you are your safety are in our prayers!
I ask our fellow Centralians to include in your prayers those who lay their lives for others (servicemen in the military, police, fire/rescue/medical services, disaster management, etc).
“There is no greater Love than this, to lay one’s life for one’s friend” – John 15:13
Ger, classmate, I’m proud of you. Brave men really know how to die. May your soul rest in peace!