President Aquino awards medals to outstanding soldiers during the Philippine Army’s 119th anniversary

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 22): President Aquino awards medals to outstanding soldiers during the Philippine Army’s 119th anniversary

President Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday led the awarding of medals to outstanding soldiers during the 119th founding anniversary of the Philippine Army (PA) in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

The President was joined by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Hernando Irriberi, and PA Commanding General Lt. Gen. Eduardo Año in the presentation of awards and plaques of recognition to those who have contributed to the accomplishment of the Army's mission.

The Distinguished Conduct Star, the second highest combat medal after the Medal of Valor, was conferred to 1Lt. Dionizer Mark delos Santos for his "acts of conspicuous courage and gallantry in action" during an encounter with New People's Army rebels in Abra last November.

Delos Santos, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 2008, led a platoon from the Army's 41st Infantry Battalion during the firefight that resulted in the death of five rebels.

In his speech, President Aquino thanked the Army for living up to its mandate of "securing the land and serving the people".

"Ito na nga po ang imahen ninyong maiiwan sa karaniwang Pilipino: isang Hukbong Katihan at Sandatahang Lakas na lagi nilang maasahan, na siyang katuwang sa pagsusulong ng estabilidad at kaayusan sa mga pamayanan. Mula rito umuusbong ang kumpiyansa na siyang kailangan sa pagsusulong ng progreso,” he said.

“Sa tuwing merong bagyo, sa harap ng matinding buhos ng ulan at hagupit ng hangin, nariyan ang Sandatahang Lakas at iba pang mga kasapi ng gobyerno, gumagawa ng paraan na mai-clear ang kalsada para makapasok ang ayuda, gaya na lang ng nasaksihan natin noong mga bagyong Yolanda, Ruby, Lando, at iba pa. Sa ganitong pagkilos, talagang batid ninyong nasa likod ninyo ang ating mga Boss, at ang dulo nito ay isang virtuous cycle ng tiwala, pag-aambagan, at positibong pagbabagong makabubuti para sa ating lahat."

With only 100 days left as commander-in-chief, President Aquino said he is proud to leave the AFP with a high morale and the respect of the Filipino people.

"Ito na nga po ang Army at AFP na ipapamana natin bilang isang namamaalam na Commander-in-Chief: Isang hukbo na napakataas ng morale at handang-handa para sa anumang hamon; isang hukbo na tangan ang pagkilala at respeto ng taumbayan; isang hukbong propesyonal at may matibay na mga prinsipyo," he said.

The President also noted the 68 big-ticket projects worth Php 58.43 billion that have benefited the AFP. The amount included the Php 7.79 billion for facilities and equipment upgrade.

President Aquino also mentioned that aside from livelihood programs for active and retired uniformed men, 61,000 units have been completed under the AFP-PNP Housing Program.

"Sa paglalakbay natin sa Daang Matuwid, sinasabi ko... na karangalan kong makapaglingkod bilang inyong pinuno at Commander-in-Chief. Balang-araw, matatanaw ko ang puntong ito ng ating kasaysayan nang may pagmamalaki. Kasama ng Army at buong AFP, ginawa natin ang tama at isinabuhay natin ang katotohanang ‘The Filipino is definitely worth fighting for’," he said.

Recipients of the Gold Cross Medal were 2Lt. Franz Arvin Balmaceda of the 73rd Infantry Battalion and Corporal Cliforduin Bade, a gunner of the 8th Scout Ranger Battalion. Col. Juvymax Uy, commander of Task Force Zamboanga, was presented the Philippine Legion of Honor (Degree of Legionnaire) for his "exceptionally meritorious and valuable service rendered" as commander of the Army's Intelligence Security Group "during the actual conduct of extensive and intensive case build-up and intelligence operations" from September 21, 2014 to May 3, 2015.

The other awardees were Col. Francisco Millare (Outstanding Achievement Medal); Lt. Col. Rosendo Abad, Jr. (Distinguished Service Star); Major Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan (Gawad sa Kapayapaan); Lt. Col. Wilfredo Manalang III (Military Achievement Medal); Col. Cirilito Sobejana (Gawad sa Kaunlaran); Pfc. Leonel Torrel (Bronze Cross Medal); Cpl. Victorio Ang (Military Merit Medal); CAFGU Active Auxiliary Gregorio Laginan (Kagitingan sa Barangay Maginoo); Pfc Erenio Besonia, Jr. (Enlisted Personnel of the Year); Sandy Sentelices (PA CAFGU Active Auxilliary of the Year); Nelda Maghanoy and Virginia de Luna (Model Employee of the Year); 1Lt. Abdul Dumpao (Best Reservist of the Year); Cdt. 1Cl. Jestoni Kimpalong (Best ROTC Male Cadet of the Year); and Cdt. 1Cl. Jenny Joy Tindaan (Best ROTC Female Cadet of the Year).

Command Plaques were also given to the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental (LGU); Sigma Alpha Sorority-UP Los Baños Chapter (NGO); SPO3 Ezrael Lantingan (security sector); Atty. Angelito Chua (Private Sector); and Edwin Caliolio, president of the Southern City Colleges in Zamboanga City (academe).

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=869316