THREE officers and men who figured in successful operations against the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf are leading the awardees during today’s celebration of the military’s 77th foundation anniversary. President Aquino will confer the Distinguished Conduct Star on 2Lt. Ferdinand Divina, a Marines officer, for leading an operation in Maimbung town in Sulu in February 2010, which led to the killing of six Abu Sayyaf men. To be given the Gold Cross Medal are Air Force 1Lt. Carlo Valdez and Army Cpl. Christopher Cabrito. The Gold Cross Medal is the third highest military decoration in combat. The highest is the Medal of Valor and second is the Distinguished Conduct Star.
Col. Glorioso Miranda will be awarded the Distinguished Service Star for “eminently meritorious and valuable service” rendered as the commander of the military’s Task Force Gensan. Miranda’s leadership of the task force, based in General Santos City, is being credited for preventing the “occurrence of terroristic activities and eventually downgraded terrorist capabilities” in the area.
Divina will be given the Distinguished Conduct Star for “conspicuous courage and gallantry” in action during a firefight with Parad and his men. Among the six killed in the operations in Maiumbung was Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Albader Parad who had been implicated in a number of high-profile kidnappings in Sulu, including that of ABS-CBN reporter Ces Drilon and her crew in 2008. Security officials also blamed Parad and his group for the 2009 kidnapping of two Swiss and an Italian working for the International Committee of the Red Cross. The operation against Parad and his group also resulted in the recovery of high-powered firearms, including a Belgian-made light machine gun, a squad assault weapon, a Galil rifle and two M16 rifles that are fitted with M203 grenade launchers.
Valdez piloted an OV-10 bomber plane that dropped bombs on the lair of Abu Sayyaf leader Gumbahali Jumdail, alias Dr. Abu, in Parang town in Sulu February last year. Jumdail died in the airstrike. The military said 14 other terrorists died in the operation, including Zulkipli Abdul Hir alias Marwan and Ibrahim, and Mumamda Ali alias Muawiya, both members of the Southeast Asian regional network Jemaah Islamiah.
Cabrito is being cited for an operation against the Abu Sayyaf in Al Barka, Basilan last year, which resulted in the death of six terrorists and the recovery of assorted firearms, vehicles, and high-value documents.
This year’s celebration of the AFP anniversary will be toned down because of the damaged brought by typhoon “Pablo.” The death toll is 1,047. There are 841 people still missing. Search, rescue and retrieval operations are being led by soldiers. Military officials said the savings from the toned down celebration will be donated to people affected by the typhoon and used to sustain the search, rescue and retrieval operations. “What will transpire in the AFP 77th anniversary celebration is our commemoration of the collective efforts of our soldiers, as well as our partners in civilian organizations and government agencies, in maintaining peace and development and in building a sustainable and secure environment for our country’s future,” said AFP chief Gen. Jessie Dellosa.
http://malaya.com.ph/index.php/news/nation/20585-3-in-operations-vs-abu-lead-afp-awardees
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