1. Rommel Bigyan Sandoval was a Philippine Army officer commissioned as captain and a recipient of the Philippines' highest military award for courage, the Medal of Valor.
16 Facts About Rommel Sandoval
1. 2.
Rommel Sandoval graduated at Philippine Military Academy located in Baguio.
3.
On September 10,2017, the 111th day of the battle, Rommel Sandoval was killed in action attempting to rescue one of his men wounded in a firefight with the jihadist militants.
4.
Rommel Sandoval was a graduate of Bauan High School class of 1996, and he was a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy's Class of 2005.
5.
Rommel Sandoval had spent over three months in the siege of Marawi without losing a single one of his men.
6.
On September 10,2017, Rommel Sandoval's company was tasked with retaking a stronghold of the Islamic militants.
7.
Rommel Sandoval's men began clearing the building from top to bottom.
8.
At this point, Rommel Sandoval himself found an alternate route by which to approach and rescue Mante.
9.
Rommel Sandoval ordered his men to provide suppressive fire while he and another soldier, Private First Class Sherwin Canapi, attempted the rescue.
10.
Rommel Sandoval returned fire but was then shot in the cheek, which proved fatal.
11.
Rommel Sandoval managed to crawl on top of Mante, shielding him from enemy fire.
12.
Rommel Sandoval's body was later found to have bullets lodged in the chest, proving that he had protected Mante from getting further hit.
13.
Captain Rommel Sandoval was buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on September 15,2017.
14.
Rommel Sandoval was conferred the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medal of Valor, the highest award conferred to members of the AFP, on December 20,2017.
15.
Rommel Sandoval was married to Maria Ana Rosario "Ani" Ello Rommel Sandoval.
16.
Rommel Sandoval was said to have been a talented artist; an illustrator, painter and wood carver who had a passion for bonsai.