Once saved by blood, now he gives it: Wounded Personnel Medal awardee Lt. Dantog leads blood-donation drive in Kalinga

FEATURE

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Years after he needed blood to survive injuries sustained in combat, a Philippine Army officer is now helping make sure that other Kalinga patients will have blood when they need it most.

Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Dexter P. Dantog, Director of the 1405th Community Defense Center, knows firsthand the value of a blood donor. His personal experience as a wounded soldier in Mindanao turned blood donation into more than an act of generosity—it became a personal commitment to help save lives.

Dantog, then a Captain and commanding officer of the 19th Special Forces, was wounded in action during an intense encounter with Abu Sayyaf terrorists in Basilan in April 2016. His injuries earned him the Wounded Personnel Medal, the Philippine military’s equivalent of the Purple Heart.

Today, Dantog has turned that experience into a mission of service.

The Philippine Army Reserve Command recently marked its 43rd founding anniversary by conducting its 10th simultaneous blood donation drive nationwide, transforming its milestone celebration into an opportunity to help replenish blood supplies for patients who may need transfusions.

In Kalinga, the blood donation activity was held on August 15 at the Laang Kawal Hall of Kalinga State University-Bulanao Campus, in partnership with One Kalinga Blood.

The activity brought together volunteers from the Office of the Provincial Health Officer, Kalinga Provincial Hospital Laboratory, Philippine Association of Medical Technologists (PAMET), Department of Health-Human Resources for Health (DOH-HRH), ROTC, NSTP students, and uniformed personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Army.

A promise born from being wounded

In an interview with GURU Press, Dantog recalled his experience as a wounded soldier in Mindanao and how he personally needed blood following his injuries.

The experience showed him how critical blood supply can be during emergencies—and how difficult it can be for families to find blood when a loved one urgently needs it.

“...ako po naman bilang isang sundalo. Ako po ay isang combatant, naranasan ko na rin po maging wounded sa Mindanao. Kaya alam ko kung gaano ka importante ang dugo. Ako po ay nangailangan ng dugo that time, naghanap kami ng dugo, kaya naging panata ko na ang mag-donate ng dugo. Three times po ako nagdo-donate ng dugo every year. Kaya alam ko na gaano ka importante talaga ang dugo lalo na dito sa ating probinsiya,” Dantog shared.

That personal experience became a promise he continues to keep.

Dantog said their blood donation initiatives have collected more than 800 blood bags since last year, including those gathered during the first quarter of 2026.

He said the collected blood has helped address the needs of families in Kalinga who approach their office seeking assistance when their loved ones require blood.

“For last year and kasama itong first quarter ngayon, we already collected more than 800 blood bags. Ganyan po karami ang nakokolekta natin para sa ating mga kababayan dito sa Kalinga na alam natin ang province ay nangangailangan talaga ng dugo kasi maraming lumalapit actually sa office namin, maraming humihingi, nagpapatulong na mabigyan ng dugo. Kaya po natin ito ginagawa para makatulong,” he said.

From wounded soldier to regular donor

For Dantog, becoming a blood donor is a way of giving back.

Having once been on the receiving end of a blood donation, he now regularly gives blood to help others facing their own medical emergencies.

He said he donates blood three times a year, turning a painful chapter in his military service into an enduring commitment to help others.

His story also highlights the connection between military service and community service: the same soldier who once depended on the generosity of blood donors now encourages others to become donors themselves.

A call to give back

With many families already benefiting from their blood donation efforts, Dantog encouraged more Kalinga residents to join the growing community of voluntary blood donors.

He emphasized that donating blood is a simple act that can make a profound difference to patients and their families.

“Marami na po tayong natulungan na family, nabibigyan ng sapat na dugo. Kaya para sa ating mga kababayan, encourage ko po kayo na mag-donate ng dugo, kagaya ng mga ROTC cadets, mga kasundaluhan, kapulisan, nandito po nagdo-donate, para po makatulong sa ating mga kababayan na nangangailangan ng dugo,” Dantog said.

For Dantog, the mission has come full circle.

In 2016, he was the wounded soldier waiting for the blood that could help save his life.

Today, he is one of those helping ensure that when another Kalinga family faces that same moment of uncertainty, blood will be there—not just as a medical resource, but as a gift from one person to another.