Herbert Dilag

Herbert D. Dilag is a Philippine Army officer and a recipient the Philippines' highest military award for courage, the Medal of Valor. He is a member of the Igorot people, an ethnic group that inhabits the provinces of the Cordillera Administrative Region in the Philippines.

Military education Dilag is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1998.

Action against the Abu Sayyaf In March 2000, Abu Sayyaf militants abducted approximately 28-29 civilians including schoolchildren, the Catholic Claretian missionary Fr. Rhoel Gallardo, and two teachers in Basilan. Dilag was part of a Scout Ranger unit under the command of Major Roberto Caldeo tasked with pursuing the kidnappers and rescuing the hostages. On 28 April 2000, Dilag's unit assaulted the Abu Sayyaf camp where the hostages were being held. The Scout Rangers were able to surprise the Abu Sayyaf militants but due to advantage in terrain, the militants were able to pin down the government security forces and hold their ground.

On the third day of the operation, Caldeo decided that two squads of Scout Rangers would have to volunteer and make an all-out assault up the steep terrain to clear out the bunkers keeping the rest of the government forces pinned down. Dilag led one of the "suicide squads". After four hours of intense fighting, they managed to clear the bunkers as the Abu Sayyaf retreated. Recovered were the beheaded bodies of the two hostaged teachers.

Dilag was conferred the Medal of Valor for his actions during the battle. Roberto Caldeo, who had by then been promoted to colonel, committed suicide in April 2008; allegedly due to stress suffered as a result of the operation that killed six of his men.

Dilag made the following statement, in Filipino, upon receiving the Medal of Valor: "We woke up at 2:00am, then we took off. We hadn't slept and it was raining. Our progress was slow due to the thick jungle growth. When we engaged the enemy, we had to use one hand to hold unto tree roots, while the other hand fired the weapon. For 24 hours we withstood the steep terrain, hunger, tension and fatigue. Then you would hear the groans of your wounded comrades saying, 'Sir, let's retreat', 'I'm suffering blood loss', 'My wounds hurt', 'Will I live sir?', words to that effect. You will then discover that you do have an untapped reservoir of courage."

Personal life Herbert Dilag is married to Daisy Lady Dilag; they have three children.