Sulu commander honors missing soldier as ‘hero’ of ferry disaster

ZAMBOANGA CITY — In the heart of the Sulu Sea, whispers telling tales of resilience and sacrifice echo through the waves. A quiet storm unfolded in the early morning of 26 January when the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 — a bustling ro-ro ferry carrying over 340 souls from Zamboanga City to Jolo, Sulu — met a fate few could foresee.

As water surged through its decks and panic gripped the vessel, one figure emerged not in spectacle, but in profound selflessness: Sgt. Windel C. Sabuyas Jr., whose actions etched his name into the annals of unsung bravery.

Sabuyas, a dedicated member of the Philippine Army’s 21st Infantry (Invisible) Battalion, part of the 1102nd Infantry Brigade based in Sulu, stands today as a symbol of unwavering duty, embodying the spirit of heroes who choose the salvation of others over their own.

The incident occurred at approximately 1:50 a.m., shortly after the ship departed from Zamboanga. Passengers stirred from uneasy sleep as shouts pierced the air; water flooding their quarters signaled doom. Confusion rippled through the cabin as movement turned frantic and disorder replaced routine.

Sabuyas was last seen during the most critical moments of the sinking, when panic and desperation had spread throughout the ship and water had reached the floor level.

According to a fellow soldier who witnessed the events, a loud crash was heard from below the deck — a clear warning of disaster. Amid the chaos, Sabuyas was seen moving with purpose.

PFC Donald Maligaya told the Daily Tribune that as others rushed toward exits, Sabuyas was given the chance to leave but chose to stay behind to help those who were struggling. While many were still disoriented, he was already assisting civilians.

Despite the urgency and rising danger, his focus remained on the safety of a woman and a child. There was no hesitation, only a deliberate choice to protect the vulnerable.

In those final moments, Sabuyas was not seeking safety for himself; he was securing it for others. While PFC Maligaya began securing his personal belongings, he saw Sabuyas helping an elderly woman and a child put on life vests. Sabuyas first secured a vest on the woman and then placed one on a child estimated to be between 9 and 11 years old. At the time, Sabuyas was not wearing a life vest himself.

PFC Maligaya noted that Sabuyas prioritized others until the witness eventually lost sight of him in the shifting crowd. That was the last time he was seen.

Brig. Gen. Alaric Avelino Delos Santos, commander of the 1102nd Infantry “Ganarul” Brigade, has publicly honored Sgt. Sabuyas as a hero. Delos Santos emphasized that the sergeant prioritized the lives of civilians amid the chaos.

He described the soldier’s gallantry as defining the “spirit of a soldier,” stating: “Sgt. Sabuyas, together with his comrades, did not abandon their mission. They remained companions to the end. His actions remind us that the spirit of a soldier is defined not by the battles won, but by the lives protected.”

Sabuyas’ story is more than a footnote in maritime lore; it is a call to honor those who serve unseen. In a nation scarred by disasters, his choice to shield the frail speaks volumes about the soul of the service.

No fanfare greeted his deeds and no medals adorn his uniform yet. Instead, his legacy rests in the lives spared and the unanswered questions echoing through search efforts led by the Philippine Coast Guard and Navy. As of today, Sabuyas remains missing, but his gallantry will not be forgotten.