P-Noy lauds devotion, courage of Filipino soldiers

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 22): P-Noy lauds devotion, courage of Filipino soldiers

For serving with courage and devotion in the remotest section of the country, President Benigno S. Aquino III Monday expressed his appreciation to the country's soldiers serving in the three major service commands.

Aquino praised the latter for their intense devotion in safeguarding the country.

He added the Philippines has never lacked brave and steadfast men as well as women in government ranks.

Aquino likened these men to Commodore Ramon Alcaraz, who successfully did his duty aboard the Q-112 (also known as the Abra), during the early days of World War II by shooting down three out of the nine Zero fighter planes who tried to sink his boat during an engagement off Manila Bay.

He also stressed that Alcaraz wanted to go fighting against the numerically and technologically superior Japanese force but was forced by his superiors as further resistance at that time was pointless, the invaders having conquered almost of the Philippines.

Alcaraz is the namesake of the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), the country's second Hamilton-class cutter, in service.

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