The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will celebrate its
79th founding anniversary on Thursday with a theme “Sandatahang Lakas: Ika-79
taong Naglilingkod ng tapat tungo sa Kapayapaan, Kaunlaran at Kasaganaan”.
President Benigno S. Aquino III, commander-in-chief, will
lead the celebration that highlights a testimonial parade and review showcasing
the colorful history of the AFP.
The President is also expected to award deserving military
personnel, civilian employees, military reservists and ROTC cadets as part of
the momentous event.
“Our anniversary celebration will be modest, but special
nonetheless since this is an opportunity to showcase developments in our reform
and modernization programs in the AFP,” said AFP spokesman Col. Restituto
Padilla.
The celebration will open with Band Drill Exhibitions from
the GHQ (general headquarters) Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, and
Philippine Navy followed by the arrival honors for the President signaling the
start of the program proper.
AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. is set
to deliver his welcome remarks followed by the High-Speed Opener, the
Presentation of Command and Honors, Inspection of Troops, Honors to the Nation,
and the Awarding Ceremony.
A total of 28 officers, enlisted personnel, civilian
employees, and cadet reservists will be awarded for their invaluable
accomplishments in the service of the people.
Leading the awardees are Major Gen. Oscar Lactao and Brig.
Gen. Alexander Balutan who will receive the Philippine Legion of Honor – Degree
of Officer for their exceptionally meritorious and valuable service rendered in
a position of major responsibility.
Lactao was the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations in
December 2013 to September 2014 and current Commander of the 4th Infantry
Division.
On the other hand, Balutan was cited for his numerous
accomplishments as the former commander of the 1st Marine Brigade from November
2010 to February 2014 and now Deputy Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command.
The Outstanding Achievement Medal will also be awarded to
Major Gen. Victor V. Bayani, Col. Alvin Francis A. Javier, and Col. Rolando
Joselito D. Bautista as Project Manager of three In-House Research and
Development Projects; Commander and General Manager of AFP Commissary and
Exchange Service; and Project Manager of a Career Development Project,
respectively.
Receiving the second highest award in the military, the
Distinguished Conduct Star, is 1st Lt. Dante E. Espiritu, the Patrol Leader,
1st Scout Ranger Company that encountered over 300 Abu Sayyaf bandits in
Talipao, Sulu. Part of his citation reads: “that inflicted heavy casualties to
the enemy, thereby showcasing extreme stability under fire and keeping up with
the finest traditions of Filipino soldiery.”
Distinguished Service Stars will be given to Brig. Gen. Vic
C. Castro, Commander of 702nd Brigade from March 2012 to April 2014; Lt. Col.
Erick Q. Escarcha, Group Commander of Tactical Operations Group 11 from April
2013 to April 2014; and Cmdr. Marcos Y. Imperio, Commander of Naval Communications,
Electronics, and Information Service Center from September 2007 to March 2014.
Also, Col. Jorge B. Lomboy of the AFP Peace Process Office
and Lt.Col. Glenn Joy U. Aynera of the Technical Working Group for Cordillera
People’s Liberation Army will receive the Gawad sa Kapayapaan award for the
successful closure of the peace process with former CPLA rebels in Northern Luzon .
Receiving the Gold Cross Medal, the fourth highest military
award, are Capt. Edwin Duclan, Ground Commander of Joint Special Operations
Unit 1 in Macalang, Al Barka Basilan; 1Lt Alfie P Ayo, Platoon Leader, 31st
Infantry Battalion in Upper Calmayon, Juban, Sorsogon; and SSgAndly R. Mejos,
7th Philippine Contingent to Golan Heights.
The Gawad sa Kaunlaran, an award for meritorious and
valuable achievement in the pursuit of socio-economic and non-combat
activities, will be awarded to Col. Rodrigo T. Gregorio, U7, Western Mindanao
Command; Col. Joseph M. Acosta, Medical Incident Commander in Samar and Leyte;
Lt.Col. Reynaldo D. Gabinete, Disaster Response Operation Unit in Bohol; and
Major Alano S. Abdulhalim, member of CMO in Western
Mindanao .
Meanwhile, the Bronze Cross Medal will also be given to Lt.
Cmdr. Bennie B. Demetillo for their successful anti-illegal drugs campaign; Capt.
Carlo C David, UH-1H pilot; and Cpl Antonio A Manipis, Jr., for heroism
following the devastation of super typhoon "Yolanda".
Col. Glicerio G Peralta, the Commander of 18th Philippine
Contingent to Liberia, will also receive his United Nations Service Medal and
Ribbon. He was among the 4 peacekeepers who have just finished their quarantine
at the AFP Medical Center last week.
CAA Sergio P. Ebañez Jr, member of the 17th CAFGU, A Coy,
72nd Infantry Battalion, will receive the Kagitingan sa Barangay award for the
risk of life beyond the call of duty during an encounter with over 30 NPAs in
Compostela Valley.
The Outstanding Achievement Award (OAM) will also be given
to Technical Sgt. Joselito E. Luna as Enlisted Personnel of the year; Nilo B.
Abaigar as Model Civilian Supervisor of the Year; Dr. Shiela R. Liboon as Model
Civilian Employee of the Year; Cadet Lt.Col. Jan Rogie G. Macandili as Male
ROTC Cadet of the Year; and Cadet Major Joy Nathalie M. Avelino as Female ROTC
Cadet of the Year.
Under the theme, “SandatahangLakas: Ika-79 na Taong
Naglilingkod ng Tapat Tungo sa Kapayapaan, Kaunlaran, at Kasaganaan,” this
year’s celebration is packed with several activities lined up leading to
tomorrow’s celebration.
The AFP also hosted the AFP Governance Expo here Wednesday
which featured a lecture on “Sustaining the Government’s Good Governance
Initiative to Power Peace and Development” by Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras,
Secretary of the Cabinet of the Philippines.
Dubbed as the AFP Governance Exposition 2014, the military
will highlight its AFP Transformation Roadmap (AFPTR) that serves as a strategy
guide for the AFP to become “a world-class armed forces and source of national
pride” by 2028.
“The AFPTR is our commitment to the Filipino as we strive to
transform the military into a strong and credible public institution,” Padilla
said.
The program started at 8 a.m. and featured the presentation
of the AFP Guidebook on Governance and Strategy Management to the Secretary of
National Defense Voltaire T. Gazmin.
It was followed by the presentation of several milestones in
the implementation of the AFPTR including the Ceremonial Log-in to the AFP
e-Governance Website; the turnover of Strategy Maps and Scorecards; and the
Commitment Ceremony to the AFPTR.
Plaques of Recognition were also awarded to the AFP units
and offices that made significant progress in their reform and transformation
programs in line with the AFPTR.
Catapang also led Wednesday's planting of over 300 bamboos
at Villa San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal.
This will be part of the National Greening Program (NGP) and
Bamboo Planting Activity that will be replicated by other Unified Commands and
AFP units across the country.
“The bamboos were chosen because of its efficient carbon
capture capability and cheaper reforestation cost. This activity, when done
nationwide, will significantly help us in our battle against climate change and
its effects,” Catapang said.
In line with the NGP of the national government, the AFP
assumed an expanded role in addressing non-traditional threats such as climate
change. The launching signifies the AFP’s contribution to reduce and lessen the
destructiveness of climate change.
For the launching in Rizal, the Southern Luzon Command through
the 2nd Infantry Division established a partnership with the Pasig River
Rehabilitation Commission, local government units of Rodriguez, and the
Philippine Bamboo Foundation.
The program aims to mitigate the effects of climate change
in coordination with regional offices of the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources and local government agencies.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=717137
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