CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The  58th infantry “Dimalupig” Battalion of the 4th Infantry Division in Northern Mindanao on Tuesday   posthumously promoted and hailed as hero the leader of the patrol who died while pursuing a band of communist rebels in the hinterlands of barangay Lumotan in Gingoog City last Sunday.

The army in a statement said 2nd Lieutenant John Paul Tua made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the people of Misamis Oriental

“A brave warrior and patriotic leader, 1st Lieutenant John Paul B. Tua (Inf) PA of the 58th Infantry ‘Dimalupig’ Battalion made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the people in Misamis Oriental. Your courage, selflessness and unwavering devotion to duty will forever be remembered,” the statement  said.

 Tua was leading an army patrol  pursuing a band of rebels when he fell  off a cliff while running away from  a swarm of wild bees attacking  their patrol in a hinterland barangay.

Police and military reports said that the victim was leading a team of army rangers conducting combat patrol in the outskirts of Barangay Lumotan a hinterland barangay in Gingoog City Sunday to pursue armed men in the area.

An initial skirmish with rebels with the rebels triggered a running gunbattle with the rebels.

While shooting the fleeing rebels the soldiers accidentally hit a hive of wild bees  sending  a swarm of bees to attack the soldiers who scampered to different directions for safety.

When the army patrol reqrouped the victim was declared missing in action.

A search operation resulted in the recovery of the body of the victim which sustained severe head injuries  after  falling into  a cliff while running away from the bee attack.

Investigators ruled out foul play in the death of the army officer as his firearms and personal belongings were intact when found.