Duterte confers Distinguished Conduct Star on 2 junior Army officers

Two junior Army officers on Tuesday received the Distinguished Conduct Star for their accomplishments against the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan and Sulu.

President Rodrigo Duterte handed the awards to Captain Ariel Robles and Captain Dennis Prado during the Philippine Army’s 120th foundation anniversary held at Fort Bonifacio. Twenty-one other individuals also received awards.

Robles is a company commander of a Scout Ranger unit that raided an improvised explosive device manufacturing camp in Sitio Project, Brgy. Tuburan Proper, Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Basilan province on May 14, 2015.

Three Abu Sayyaf members and one soldier were killed in the operation, while three Abu Sayyaf members and six soldiers were injured.

Arado, an infantry company commander, led his unit in an encounter against 30 Abu Sayyaf members at Sitio Kan-udang, Brgy Taglibi, Patikul Sulu on Feb. 5, 2015. Two Abu Sayyaf members were killed while four soldiers were wounded in the operation.

The Distinguished Conduct Star is the second highest military decoration for bravery in combat.

Also given awards were:

• Pfc. Eddie Boy L. Vilar (Gold Cross Medal) - an infantry squad leader who took part in an encounter against 20 members of CPP-NPA-NDF in Sitio Tagbulete, Brgy Del Monte, Veruela, Agusan del Sur on June 27, 2015.
• Pfc. Glyn B Senangote (Gold Cross Medal) - an infantry rifleman who took part in an encounter against 300 ASG members in Brgy. Gata, Talipao, Sulu on April 9, 2015.
• Capt. Armando Gabia (Silver Cross Medal) - one of the key officers who provided support during a pursuit operation against 200 members of a local terrorist organization under the Maute brothers in Butig, Lanao Del Sur from Feb. 21 to Mar. 1, 2016.
• 1Lt. Joe Mark Bitbit (Silver Cross Medal) - a member of a special group that provided support during a successful anti-drug operation that resulted in several arrests and the confiscation of packs of shabu worth P800,000.00 at Sitio Bato, Brgy Ermita, Cebu City.
• Lt. Col. Leonardo Pagaduan (Gawad sa Kaunlaran) - an engineer battalion commander who led the successful completion of infrastructure projects at Floridablanca Elementary School, Brgy. San Antonio, Pampanga from Jul. 17 to Aug. 17, 2016.
• Lt. Col. Joel Mamon (Bronze Cross Medal) - the Battalion Commander of 4IB, 6ID who led law enforcement operations against BIFF forces in Brgy. Libutan, Mamasapano, Maguindanao from Jul. 10 to 31, 2016.
• Cpl. Lolibel B Guloy (Bronze Cross Medal) - a member of the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Risk unit that played a significant role in rescue and retrieval operations after the onslaught of  typhoon “Lando” in Sitio Pugo, Brgy. Junction, Pinukpuk, Kalinga on Oct. 18, 2015, saving 18 civilians trapped on an island in the middle of the Chico River.
• Cpl. Adonis F Sombrero (Bronze Cross Medal) - a member of a joint AFP-PNP group that conducted a successful raid on a discovered shabu laboratory in Brgy. Palta Small, Virac, Catanduanes on Nov. 26, 2016, resulting in the confiscation of 1.1 kg of shabu and the dismantling of a shabu laboratory.
• Maj. Gen. Rafael C. Valencia (Outstanding Achievement Medal) - the officer who developed and crafted the “Philippine Army Operating Concept.”
• Maj. Gen. Rhoderick Parayno (Distinguished Service Star) - a brigade commander who helped the realization of various community projects in Alabel, Quezon from Mar. 30, 2014 to Mar. 24, 2016.
• Sgt. Joseph  E Hulibayan, PA Enlisted Personnel of the Year 2017
• CAA Roy B Manlampoong, CAFGU Active Auxiliary of the Year 2017
• Mrs. Armi L Agatea, MBA, PA Model Supervisor CY 2017
• Dr. Blanca B Bien, DDM, PA Model Employee CY 2017
• Lt. Col. Allan Rellon, PA Best Reservist Officer of the Year 2017
• Sgt. Ronaldo M Locion, PA Best Reservist Enlisted Personnel of the Year 2017
• Cdt. Col. Edmond V Limbaga, PA Best Male Advanced ROTC Cadet of the Year 2017, and
• Cdt. Col. Gea Brellia J Jayson 1CL, PA Best Female Advanced ROTC Cadet of the Year 2017.

Given plaques for supporting  peace building and national development initiatives were the provincial governments of Bohol, Agusan del Norte, South Cotabato, and Davao Occidental; the Junior Chamber International (JCI) San Juan Dambana, and San Miguel Corporation. — Amita Legaspi/BM, GMA News