PNoy awards soldiers for service during calamities, Zambo crisis

(Updated 5:20 p.m.) President Benigno Aquino III on Friday personally awarded soldiers for their role in peacekeeping and disaster relief efforts during the Bohol earthquake and Typhoon Yolanda.

 

Attending the 78th founding anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Camp Aguinaldo, Aquino led the conferment of awards to 53 individuals, including 49 soldiers, two civilian employees, and two ROTC cadets in the  "conduct of internal peace and security operations" and "humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations during super typhoon Yolanda and the Central Visayas earthquake and in various socio-economic and other non-combat operations."

Among them are:
 

Pfc Ian Paquit (Medal of Valor -posthumous)
Col. Danilo Pamonag (Award of the Distinguished Conduct Star)
Col. Teodoro Llamas (Award of the Distinguished Conduct Star)
Ltc. Johnson Jemar Aseron (Award of the Distinguished Conduct Star)
Ltc. Antonio Divinagracia (Award of the Distinguished Conduct Star)
Ltc. Rey Barroquillo Jr. (Award of the Distinguished Conduct Star)
Ltc. Elpidio Factor (Award of the Distinguished Conduct Star)
Capt. Al Victor Burkley (Award of the Distinguished Conduct Star)
Capt. Edwin Duclan (Award of the Distinguished Conduct Star)
Capt. Omar Abdullah Al Assaf
1Lt. James Whirlwind Salazar (Award of the Distinguished Conduct Star)
Lt. Jg. Ryan Magallano (Award of the Distinguished Conduct Star)
SSgt. Rehum Magno (Award of the Distinguished Conduct Star)
Sgt. Gabriel Pascua (Award of the Distinguished Conduct Star)
Cpl. Michael Binauhan (Award of the Distinguished Conduct Star)
Radm. Isabelo Gador (Award of the Distinguished Service Star)
MGen. Nicanor Vivar (Award of the Distinguished Service Star)
Col. Ignacio Obligacion (Award of the Distinguished Service Star)
Col. Andrelino Colina (Award of the Distinguished Service Star)
Ltc. Delfin Arguelles (Award of the Distinguished Service Star)
Capt. Arvin Llenaresas (Award of the Gold Cross)
Capt. Henry Bual II (Award of the Gold Cross)
Lt. Jg. Aldrin Bulaga (Award of the Gold Cross)
CS2 Felix Guavez (Award of the Gold Cross)
EN3 Jose Audrey Banares (Award of the Gold Cross - posthumous)
Sgt. Delio Surio (Award of the Gold Cross)
Sgt. Niftaly Porras (Award of the Gold Cross)
Pfc. Julmuin Abdulahid (Award of the Gold Cross - posthumous)
BGen. Felicito Virgilio Trinidad (Award of the Philippine Legion of Honor, Degree of Officer)
Capt. Albert Mogol (Award of the Distinguished Navy Cross)
Capt. Ruben Fajardo (Award of the Distinguished Navy Cross)
Maj. Ian Earth Lamson (Award of the Dsitunguished Aviation Cross)
Col. Amador Tabuga (Award of the Bronze Cross)
Maj. Rajis Halipa (Award of the Bronze Cross)
1Lt. Chris Revale (Award of the Bronze Cross)
1Lt. Evar Louie Magamay (Award of the Gold Cross)
1Lt. Marvin Liel Gammad (Award of the Bronze Cross)
Lt. Gen. Roy Deveraturda (Award of the Gawad sa Kaunlaran)
MGen. Aurelio Baladad (Award of the Gawad sa Kaunlaran)
MGen. Jet Velarmino (Award of the Gawad sa Kaunlaran)
BGen. Romeo Labador (Award of the Gawad sa Kaunlaran)
Col. Rodolfo Santiago (Award of the Gawad sa Kaunlaran)
Col. Rafael Valencia (Award of the Gawad sa Kaunlaran)
Capt. Roy Vincent Trinidad (Award of the Gawad sa Kaunlaran)
Ltc. Emmanuel Canilla (Award of the Gawad sa Kaunlaran)
Cpl. Emerson Mendoza (Award of the Gawad sa Kaunlaran)
Ltc. Fermin Carangan (Award of the Bronze Cross)
Lt. Sg. Lady Chatterly Alvaro (Award of the Outstanding Achievement Medal)
TSg. Dante Berganio (Enlisted Personnel of the Year)
Engr. Giovanni Pangilinan (Model Civilian Supervisor of the Year)
Rowena Decena (Model Civilian Employee of the Year)
Cadet Col. Gabriel Paulo Orosco (Male ROTC Cadet of the Year)
Cadet Ltc. Justine Margareth Mayor (Female ROTC Cadet of the Year)

The AFP itself was also awarded the "Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Badge" for "exceptional and extraordinary accomplishment in support of the national government agencies, local government units and law enforcement bureaus and the conduct of law enforcement and security operations, humanitarian, and disaster relief operations and socioeconomic advancements during the defense of Zamboanga City, the earthquake of Central Visayas and the super typhoon Yolanda."

Aquino is commander-in-chief of the military.

In his speech, AFP chief of staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista said all challenges were met by the soldiers with "courage, strength, and spirit."

He also thanked the soldiers for their "silent sacrifices" and for "always performing above and beyond the call of duty."

"You all deserve recognition and this day is for you. Let me say with convictions that I am proud of every soldier, sailor, and airman of our Armed Forces. It is indeed an honor to serve with all of you," he said.

In a separate speech, Aquino also specifically thanked the soldiers for their role in ensuring peaceful elections and in Yolanda rescue and relief efforts.

"Ang makabuluhan ninyong ambag lalo na ng mga pinarangalan natin ngayong araw ay habangbuhay nang babantayog sa kasaysayan ng sandatahang lakas ng Pilipinas.  Maraming salamat po sa inyong serbisyo," he said.
 

Last month, Aquino also led the awarding of at least 18 soldiers who fought during the Zamboanga crisis.

 

Earlier, the AFP said the 2,473 soldiers who participated in the Zamboanga crisis either in administrative or combat capacity are all set to receive an award "commensurate to their bravery in combat and valuable service rendered in operations." — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ/LBG, GMA News