PNoy awards soldiers for service during calamities, Zambo crisis

December 20, 2013 10:47am

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(Updated 5:20 p.m.) President Benigno Aquino III on Friday personally awarded soldiers for their role in peacekeeping and disaster relief efforts during the Bohol earthquake and Typhoon Yolanda.

Attending the 78th founding anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Camp Aguinaldo, Aquino led the conferment of awards to 53 individuals, including 49 soldiers, two civilian employees, and two ROTC cadets in the "conduct of internal peace and security operations" and "humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations during super typhoon Yolanda and the Central Visayas earthquake and in various socio-economic and other non-combat operations."

Among them are:

Pfc Ian Paquit (Medal of Valor -posthumous)
Col. Danilo Pamonag (Award of the Distinguished Conduct Star)
Col. Teodoro Llamas (Award of the Distinguished Conduct Star)
Ltc. Johnson Jemar Aseron (Award of the Distinguished Conduct Star)
Ltc. Antonio Divinagracia (Award of the Distinguished Conduct Star)
Ltc. Rey Barroquillo Jr. (Award of the Distinguished Conduct Star)
Ltc. Elpidio Factor (Award of the Distinguished Conduct Star)
Capt. Al Victor Burkley (Award of the Distinguished Conduct Star)
Capt. Edwin Duclan (Award of the Distinguished Conduct Star)
Capt. Omar Abdullah Al Assaf
1Lt. James Whirlwind Salazar (Award of the Distinguished Conduct Star)
Lt. Jg. Ryan Magallano (Award of the Distinguished Conduct Star)
SSgt. Rehum Magno (Award of the Distinguished Conduct Star)
Sgt. Gabriel Pascua (Award of the Distinguished Conduct Star)
Cpl. Michael Binauhan (Award of the Distinguished Conduct Star)
Radm. Isabelo Gador (Award of the Distinguished Service Star)
MGen. Nicanor Vivar (Award of the Distinguished Service Star)
Col. Ignacio Obligacion (Award of the Distinguished Service Star)
Col. Andrelino Colina (Award of the Distinguished Service Star)
Ltc. Delfin Arguelles (Award of the Distinguished Service Star)
Capt. Arvin Llenaresas (Award of the Gold Cross)
Capt. Henry Bual II (Award of the Gold Cross)
Lt. Jg. Aldrin Bulaga (Award of the Gold Cross)
CS2 Felix Guavez (Award of the Gold Cross)
EN3 Jose Audrey Banares (Award of the Gold Cross - posthumous)
Sgt. Delio Surio (Award of the Gold Cross)
Sgt. Niftaly Porras (Award of the Gold Cross)
Pfc. Julmuin Abdulahid (Award of the Gold Cross - posthumous)
BGen. Felicito Virgilio Trinidad (Award of the Philippine Legion of Honor, Degree of Officer)
Capt. Albert Mogol (Award of the Distinguished Navy Cross)
Capt. Ruben Fajardo (Award of the Distinguished Navy Cross)
Maj. Ian Earth Lamson (Award of the Dsitunguished Aviation Cross)
Col. Amador Tabuga (Award of the Bronze Cross)
Maj. Rajis Halipa (Award of the Bronze Cross)
1Lt. Chris Revale (Award of the Bronze Cross)
1Lt. Evar Louie Magamay (Award of the Gold Cross)
1Lt. Marvin Liel Gammad (Award of the Bronze Cross)
Lt. Gen. Roy Deveraturda (Award of the Gawad sa Kaunlaran)
MGen. Aurelio Baladad (Award of the Gawad sa Kaunlaran)
MGen. Jet Velarmino (Award of the Gawad sa Kaunlaran)
BGen. Romeo Labador (Award of the Gawad sa Kaunlaran)
Col. Rodolfo Santiago (Award of the Gawad sa Kaunlaran)
Col. Rafael Valencia (Award of the Gawad sa Kaunlaran)
Capt. Roy Vincent Trinidad (Award of the Gawad sa Kaunlaran)
Ltc. Emmanuel Canilla (Award of the Gawad sa Kaunlaran)
Cpl. Emerson Mendoza (Award of the Gawad sa Kaunlaran)
Ltc. Fermin Carangan (Award of the Bronze Cross)
Lt. Sg. Lady Chatterly Alvaro (Award of the Outstanding Achievement Medal)
TSg. Dante Berganio (Enlisted Personnel of the Year)
Engr. Giovanni Pangilinan (Model Civilian Supervisor of the Year)
Rowena Decena (Model Civilian Employee of the Year)
Cadet Col. Gabriel Paulo Orosco (Male ROTC Cadet of the Year)
Cadet Ltc. Justine Margareth Mayor (Female ROTC Cadet of the Year)

The AFP itself was also awarded the "Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Badge" for "exceptional and extraordinary accomplishment in support of the national government agencies, local government units and law enforcement bureaus and the conduct of law enforcement and security operations, humanitarian, and disaster relief operations and socioeconomic advancements during the defense of Zamboanga City, the earthquake of Central Visayas and the super typhoon Yolanda."

Aquino is commander-in-chief of the military.

In his speech, AFP chief of staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista said all challenges were met by the soldiers with "courage, strength, and spirit."

He also thanked the soldiers for their "silent sacrifices" and for "always performing above and beyond the call of duty."

"You all deserve recognition and this day is for you. Let me say with convictions that I am proud of every soldier, sailor, and airman of our Armed Forces. It is indeed an honor to serve with all of you," he said.

In a separate speech, Aquino also specifically thanked the soldiers for their role in ensuring peaceful elections and in Yolanda rescue and relief efforts.

"Ang makabuluhan ninyong ambag lalo na ng mga pinarangalan natin ngayong araw ay habangbuhay nang babantayog sa kasaysayan ng sandatahang lakas ng Pilipinas. Maraming salamat po sa inyong serbisyo," he said.

Last month, Aquino also led the awarding of at least 18 soldiers who fought during the Zamboanga crisis.

Earlier, the AFP said the 2,473 soldiers who participated in the Zamboanga crisis either in administrative or combat capacity are all set to receive an award "commensurate to their bravery in combat and valuable service rendered in operations." — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ/LBG, GMA News

Tags: Benigno Aquino III

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The 2014 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (from L-R): From the Philippine Army: Colonel Teodoro A. Llamas PA, Master Sergeant Aladin S. Dacayanan PA, and Staff Sergeant Rehum P. Magno PA; from the Philippine Navy: Captain Alberto B. Carlos PN, Sergeant Eugene J. Padilla PN (M), Commissary Steward 2nd Class Felix B. Guaves II PN; from the Philippine Air Force: Colonel Adriano SJ. Duadico PAF, Staff Sergeant Sheryl P. Toribio PAF, and Technical Sergeant Benny G. Dofitas PAF; from the Medical Administrative Corps Major Florencio Ritchie I. Capulong III MAC. PHOTO FROM METROBANK FOUNDATION

MANILA, Philippines — After standing their ground in the Zamboanga siege last September, soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines were given recognition Monday for their fortitude and sacrifice.

Colonel Teodoro Llamas led the Zamboanga heroes and the other 2014 inductees of The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers in a ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo.

Llamas said that he is lost for words upon the conferment of the award.

“Personally, my heart is beating so fast right now…it’s a very prestigious honor to be given to us,” Llamas said. “It’s a recognition, not just for us, but for the AFP in general.”

Llamas commanded the Light Reaction Battalion, the primary anti-terror group of the AFP, against the rogue members of the Moro National Liberation Front, under fugitive leader Nur Misuari, that laid siege in Zamboanga in Septembet of 2013.

Humbled with the recognition, Llamas said that the award was for the whole military and that he was a mere “representative” to take it.

“We just so happened to be the representatives, this is a huge recognition not just for us, but for the Armed Forces and our families,” Llamas said.

Joining Llamas in the three Zamboanga heroes are Scout Ranger Staff Sargeant Rehu Magno, who also received the “Best Enlisted Personnel” award from the 1st Scout Ranger Regiment, and Technical Sargeant Benny Dofitas of the Philippine Air Force, who conducted aerial reconnaissance during the seige.

Magno was instrumental in the capture of the 42 MNLF rebels during the Zamboanga siege.

“It feels like that it’s an accomolishment for my years of service,” Magno said.

Dofitas’ aerial missions provided the ground troops with the intel on the rebels’ location which became a vital advantage for the military.

“Filipino soldiers carry on their shoulders the distinct title and paramount responsibility of being the protectors of the people and the state,” Aniceto Sobrepeña, Metrobank Foundation President, said in a statement.

Metrobank Foundation is the primary stakeholder of the Tops awards.

“Theirs is the task of securing the sovereignty and democracy of the country and the integrity of the national territory.”

Other Tops awardees were Master Sargeant Aladin Dacayanan, Group Sergeant Major in the Intelligence Service AFP, for his role in organizing the first ever Association of Asean Administrative Assistants; Navy Captain Alberto Carlos, for his role in addressing the Navy’s fuel deficit as Assistant Chief of Naval Staff for Logistics; Marines Sargeant Eugene Padilla innovative invention of a Jungle Antenna that helped clear lines of communication during operations; Commissary Steward 2 Felix Guaves II for exposing ASG positions, strengths, and equipment after his escape from captivity; Lieutenant Colonel Adriano Duadico for his role as Presidential Pilot during the defense of Zamboanga City and aftermath of typhoon Yolanda; Staff Sargeant Sheryl P Toribio, first female specialist in the 410 th Maintenance Wing, for her role in the refurbishing of PAF C-130 planes; and Major Florencio Ritchie Capulong III, for helping over 3000 patients by establishing the Primary Health Care

Program in Sta Lucia, Capas, Tarlac.

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