A Tribute to S’ Willy: A Remarkable Leader, A Humble Senior Officer, And A Loyal Friend

In my stint with the Philippine Army, there were very few figures who have touched my life profoundly. These were men who embody astounding virtues, and whose leadership, humility, and dedication as strategic-minded commanders I have learned much from.  And I wish to pay tribute to one of them today. 

Retired Col William Dormitorio, PMA Class 74, an Army trailblazer who joined the Special Forces after a short stint with the Infantry, died last July 10 of a massive hear attack. He was not just a leader, but an elder brother to me, and a guiding light who inspired all of us who had the privilege of serving under his command. His legacy extended from within the fields of battle, to beyond the frontierlands which he cared so much to develop, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of those whose lives he touched.

The late Retired Colonel Willy Dormitorio, Sir Willy to those close to him, was my Commander when I was with the 1st Special Forces (Airborne) Battalion. He possessed a rare combination of strategic vision, tactical acumen, unwavering courage and a strong empathy for the underserved. His ability to inspire confidence among his soldiers as well as the people in the hinterlands, and to instill in his troops a sense of purpose and duty, was a testament to his exceptional leadership. Under his command, even the most daunting challenges seemed easily surmountable, as he led by example and never asked his troops to do anything he was not willing to do himself.

Despite his many accomplishments and accolades in the early stages of his military career, he remained a humble senior officer, always putting the needs of his team above his own. He had a quiet confidence that was never overshadowed by arrogance or ego, earning him the respect and admiration of those who served alongside him. His humility was a source of strength and inspiration, giving him that rare ability to easily connect with the folks in the remote areas on a personal level, fostering a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect that made him truly a ‘man for the masses’. 

I first met S’ Willy when I was transferred from the Scout Ranger Group to the 1st Special Forces Battalion in Trento, Agusan Sur sometime in 1980. He was the most senior among the company commanders then, yet I noted that he had the most remote, and the most difficult assignment among our 3 company commanders. 

One time, he went missing when a fierce typhoon hit the area. He was scheduled to come down from the hinterlands of Loreto, Agusan Sur for an important conference. The only way in or out of his isolated post was via banca, the local dugout canoe that is small and frail. Unfortunately, communications had broken down due to the typhoon, and the mighty Agusan River had swollen, with some areas declared unpassable due to the heavy rains. Worse, we couldn’t reach him with our old, unreliable signal equipment at that time.

For 3 days, he and his team went missing. And we feared for the worst, knowing the strong enemy presence in the area, and the notoriety of the treacherous Agusan River with its untamed waters and huge crocodiles. But on the third day, a totally wet, freezing, yet still cheerful Capt Dormitorio reported to our Battalion headquarters, to our great relief. He and his team had forged the perilous river, but had to stop countless times due to the dangers posed by both the enemy as well as by nature. 

S’ Willy would later be promoted to major, and promptly become my commander in the 1st Special Forces Battalion. It was during his stint as my Battalion Commander when I saw him up close and personal. 

What struck me most about S’ Willy was his integrity and wise counsel. One time he called my attention to an After Encounter Report that had passed my desk. He noted that the Team Leader had spent 300-plus ammunition in a 5-minute firefight, while his teammates reported ammo expenditures reaching 200, 150 or even lower. He stressed that a Team Leader who spends more ammo than his men was not doing his job properly, as he was relegating himself to being the primary rifleman, as opposed to orchestrating the team’s actions and managing the situation and analyzing the terrain for possible maneuver. And, he added, this could be a cause for concern as the individual could be bloating his ammo expenditures to acquire ammo for personal use. (Much later, we would hear of reports of soldiers selling ammo to unscrupulous elements.) Other unethical practices he asked me to watch out for included the practice of inserting names of office personnel in encounter reports, the practice of exaggerating actions and battlefield accomplishments for awards, etc. He instilled in me the importance of ensuring the sanctity of reports sent to higher headquarters. 

Related to this, he also impressed on me the difference between leaders and commanders. There’s a huge difference between team and platoon ‘leaders’ to company, battalion or brigade ‘commanders’, he stressed. For the lower tactical units, officers are expected to ‘LEAD’ their troops; but as you move up the hierarchy, your primary responsibility is to ‘COMMAND’ the troops, as you have lower units taking the ‘LEAD’ role, plus your primary responsibility is to ensure the success of the mission and the overall survivability of your entire unit.

Sir Willy’s loyalty to his comrades was unwavering. He was a steadfast beacon of support and solidarity in times of both triumph and adversity. He stood by his friends through thick and thin, offering guidance, encouragement, and his unwavering loyalty when they needed it most. During the mid-80s, he joined the Reform AFP Movement (RAM), in protest to the rampant reports of excesses from both the government  and military establishments. After one of RAM’s failed coup attempts in the 80s in which he was implicated, he decided to finally leave the service, saying that this was the honorable thing to do. From hereon, he would focus on developing his own piece of paradise in the hinterlands of Bukidnon.

As a true Special Forces organizer and trainor, he toiled to develop his area, keeping it insurgency-free and progressive. Using the SF DOTECC doctrine (Develop, Organize, Train, Equip, Command and Control), he led his community to ward off any effort from the insurgents to infiltrate their ranks. He exemplified the true spirit of collaboration and cooperation, recognizing that success – whether on the battlefield or in the campaign to win the trust and confidence of the people in the hinterlands – was not the result of individual heroics but of a collective effort and unity of purpose. 

Even after leaving the service, he fostered a culture of teamwork and mutual support, where each member of the community played a vital role in achieving the overarching objectives of developing a progressive, insurgency-free frontier. His ability to bring out the best in others, to inspire them to work as a team and exceed their own expectations, was a testament to his exceptional qualities as a leader and mentor.

Tragedy however would hound the Dormitorio household in 2019, when youngest son, Darwin, eager to follow the footsteps of his dad, passed the exams for the Philippine Military Academy (PMA). On September 18, 2019, first-year cadet Darwin Dormitorio would die as a result of hazing, a malpractice that the Academy had been struggling with for decades. His death would trigger the call for massive reforms in PMA, but it would devastate S’ Willy, who had been looking forward to his son continuing his proud and honorable work in the military establishment. 

S’ Willy would carry on the fight for reforms in PMA. But his campaign would be shortlived. The heart attack would deny him the opportunity to push through with his noble advocacy. Recently, a court ruling would find 3 upperclassmen guilty and given varied sentences. However, the legacy of this remarkable individual – as a humble senior officer, a community organizer and leader, and as a loyal friend – will endure for generations to come.

S’ Willy was a shining example of what it means to lead with integrity, serve with diligence and hard work, and stand by those who stand by you. Living up to the PMA motto of Courage, Integrity and Loyalty. His impact on those who had the privilege of knowing him is immeasurable. This is a humble tribute to a man whose life was dedicated to the service of others. May his memory continue to inspire and guide us as we strive to uphold the values and virtues he so exemplified in his own life.

Cover photo courtesy of Tess Dormitorio. Other pics courtesy of Gen Alex Yano, Joselito Dormitorio. Special thanks to Myrna Garcia, Dexter Dormitorio and Alice Dumlao.