Newly grad army officer inspired by slain soldier cousin

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – A newly graduated army officer offered his new vocation to his first cousin who was killed by rebels in August 2021 in Tapaz, Capiz.

2nd Lieutenant Francisco Villasis Jr. said his graduation from the Philippine Army Officer Candidate School was inspired by the death of his cousin Corporal Frederick Villasis who was summarily executed by the NPA in Barangay Lahug, Tapaz, Capiz.

Villasis, a licensed professional teacher, graduated alongside 2nd Lieutenant Kingzer Caporal, who has a degree in BS Mechanical Engineering at CAPSU main campus; and 2LT Jeffrey Zonio of Jamindan town and also a product of CAPSU Burias in Mambusao.

The trio belonged to “KARIGATAK” Class 56-2022 of the Philippine Army Officer Candidate School at Camp O’Donnell in Capas, Tarlac. They formally graduated on Friday, Oct 21, 2022.

It was in their final deliberation in Camp Lapu-Lapu in Apas, Cebu City when Villasis learned about the brutal killing of his cousin.

Despite the prodding of his mother to quit the training because of the incident, he still continued and finished the course.

Corporal Villasis was assigned to the 12th Infantry Battalion (IB) when he was killed in broad daylight last Aug. 11, 2021 by armed men believed to be New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Tapaz, Capiz.