Paquit gets Medal for Valor

From the Manila Bulletin (Dec 20): Paquit gets Medal for Valor

An Army Scout Ranger killed during the bloody Zamboanga siege in September was bestowed the Medal for Valor (posthumous), the highest award in the military, during the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) 78th anniversary celebration held Friday at Camp Gen. Emilio E. Aguinaldo.

The presentation of the Medal for Valor award for the late Army Private First Class Ian O. Paquit of the 3rd Scout Ranger Company, 1st Scout Ranger Regiment, highlighted the AFP’s simple anniversary celebration.

President Benigno S. Aquino III, AFP commander-in-chief, presented the Medal for Valor award, which was received by Eduardo Paquit, father of the slain soldier. The president was joined by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin during the ceremony.

Moreover, 48 other soldiers, two civilian employees, and two ROTC cadets were also given awards for their roles in the successful defense of Zamboanga City, humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations following the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Central Visayas, and in the aftermath of super typhoon Yolanda, as well as, other combat operations and non-traditional missions.

Paquit, automatic rifleman of the command group of the 3rd Scout Ranger Company, was bestowed the Medal for Valor award, in recognition of his courage, dedication and sacrifice that greatly contributed to the clearing and capture of enemy positions in Zamboanga City.

According to the military, when Paquit’s team was pinned down by MNLF fighters, he “adjusted his position to a better line of sight to provide cover fire for the repositioning troops, notwithstanding his vulnerability to enemy fire.”

Paquit and a section of the 3rd Scout Ranger Company clashed with more than 100 members of the MNLF during the clearing of Barangay Sta. Barbara, Zamboanga City.

“With the courage, dedication and sacrifice of Private First Class Ian Paquit, further casualties were avoided and the neutralization of enemy firing positions greatly contributed to the clearing capture of enemy strongholds,” the military said of Paquit.
The enlisted personnel was wounded on September 13 in another firefight with MNLF members and was taken to the hospital. Two days later he checked out and joined his colleagues in the clearing of Sta. Barbara.

The AFP said that because of Paquit’s selfless acts of heroism, a bullet pierced his left neck. He went comatose on September 30 and never recovered.

The operations involving Paquit resulted to the capture of 41 MNLF fighters and 15 enemies killed.

“By this display of heroism, PFC Paquit distinguished himself in combat, in keeping with the finest traditions of Filipino soldiery,” said the AFP.

http://www.mb.com.ph/paquit-gets-medal-for-valor/