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.

[7] 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.

With the commencement of the 103rd Brigade's OPLAN "FINAL OPTION", the First Scout Ranger Battalion was directed to attack the highly fortified enemy positions being occupied by more or less 210 fully armed members of the Abu Sayyaf Group who were then holding in captivity 28 civilian hostages.

50 Machineguns, 57RRs and the continuous explosion of grenades and dynamites near their positions, the leading elements under SECOND LIEUTENANT DILAG, fearlessly retaliated with accurate sniper fires which prevented the enemy from closing-in.

Notwithstanding the heavy rains, hunger, tension and fatigue, and despite numerous casualties, the Scout Rangers held on their ground and engaged the enemy with strong determination and ferocity for the next 24 hours.

On 300530 April 2000, after sensing the seemingly insurmountable odds, Major Caldeo, the Commanding Officer of the 1st scout Ranger Battalion, decided to execute the final assault with the organization of 2 "Suicide Squads".

The 3 day intense firefight resulted to the killing of 7 members of the Abu Sayyaf Group, the recovery of 1 B40 RPG, 1 M653 and M16 rifles, the unearthing of 2 beheaded hostages and the destruction of a seemingly invincible enemy.

By this display of exceptional courage and a high degree of leadership, SECOND LIEUTENANT DILAG distinguished himself in combat, in keeping the finest tradition of Filipino Soldiery.