ROK Araw Force to commemorate Korean War with Filipino war veterans in Leyte

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 3): ROK Araw Force to commemorate Korean War with Filipino war veterans in Leyte

The South Korean Force that is doing rehabilitation and humanitarian works in Leyte province will have a simple ceremony to commemorate the 64th anniversary of the Korean War wayback June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953.

Families of surviving Filipino war veterans who fought alongside South Korean soldiers during the Korean War will be invited to be part of the event to be held at the Araw Force Joint Support Group camp in Candahug, Palo Leyte, said commander Chulwon Lee.

The commemoration will be held On June 24, a day prior the June 25 anniversary when the Korean War started.

Filipino soldiers who were sent to the Korean War were part of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) Philippine Army contingent of the United Nations (UN).

The PEFTOK was composed of 7,500 troops and was the fourth largest force under the United Nations Command. They took part in the Battle of Yultong Bridge and the Battle of Hill Eerie.

A total of 112 Filipino Soldiers were "killed in action" during the Korean War.

Among the prominent personalities who were sent in South Korea during the Korean War were former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr and former Philippine President Fidel V Ramos who was then a lieutenant.

This gesture of the Filipino in sending military troops to the Korean War was reciprocated by the South Korean government by means of sending troops to Yolanda stricken province of Leyte to provide rehabilitation assistance by repairing local government facilities and structures, said Col Lee.

In addition, houses of Filipino veterans that were destroyed by typhoon Yolanda have been repaired to include three houses from towns of Carigara, Dagami and Tacloban City.

Col Lee also revealed that during the commemoration younger children (grandchildren) of surviving war veterans will be awarded with scholarship grants.

Moreover, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin will visit their base camp this June 10, Col Lee revealed.

The secretary of national defense will be giving recognition to their troops for their out-pouring support to the rehabilitation process of the national government to Yolanda devastated towns of Palo, Tanauan and Tolosa.

This is the second recognition their troops will receive from officials of the Philippine government.

Last month Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff General Emmanuel T Bautista during his visit to the base camp awarded the Araw Forces with Military Civic Action medal.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=649737