3 US-schooled Pinoy soldiers take oath before AFP chief

From GMA News (Oct 23): 3 US-schooled Pinoy soldiers take oath before AFP chief



(L-R) Army 2Lt. Floren Herrera, Air Force 2Lt. Theodore Quijano, Navy Ensign Louise Salio. Photo courtesy of AFP PIO

Three US-schooled Filipino military officers, including two who graduated with honors, took their oath as officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday in Camp Aguinaldo.
"The AFP congratulates its three Foreign Military Academy graduates for their dedication, enthusiasm, and sacrifices as cadets leading to their achievements that contributed in giving pride and honor to the Armed Forces and the whole Filipino nation as well," said AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala.

The three were led by now Air Force 2Lt. Theodore Quijano, who graduated from the US Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Coloradio with honors last May. Quijano is a recipient of numerous academic awards, including Superintendent's List, Dean’s List, and Commandant’s List.

Quijano is also a recipient of military awards like Outstanding Basic Cadet Award, US Air Force Jump Wings, USAFA Academy Space Wings, USAFA Glider Pilot Wings, and USAFA Flight Program.

"He was also awarded for his outstanding athletic performance while in the academy including the Athletic Director’s List and German Athletic Proficiency Badge for Outstanding Athletic Performance," Zagala said.

Another US-schooled military officer was Army 2Lt. Floren Herrera, who also graduated with honors from the US Military Academy in West Point, New York, last May.

Zagala said Herrera is a recipient of both scholastic and military awards, including Distinguished Cadet (Starman), Superintendent’s Award, “Top Gun” of the Department of Mathematical Sciences, the Army Physical Fitness Badge, and First Runner-Up Brigade Boxing Open 2011.

The third was now Navy Ensign Louise Salio, who graduated from the US Naval Academy in Annapolis also in May.

Zagala said Salio graduated from the academy "after four years of rigorous training and exemplary performance in academics."

The three entered the Philippine Military Academy before they went to the US. They took their oath before AFP chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista after they received their commissionship from President Benigno Aquino III, the military's commander in chief.

"The graduates’ outstanding scholastic performance and achievements as cadets of US military academies were greatly admired by the AFP leadership," said Zagala.

A number of Filipino military officers had graduated from the US schools, including former President Fidel Ramos, who also served as AFP chief. Ramos is a product of the US Military Academy. Another one was former AFP chief Narciso Abaya, also a product of the US Military Academy.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/332196/pinoyabroad/news/3-us-schooled-pinoy-soldiers-take-oath-before-afp-chief