THE 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army (PA) received recently an award of command plaque of merit in recognition of its search and rescue and relief operations during the tropical storm Sendong and the powerful earthquake that hit Negros Oriental.
Lt. General Emmanuel Bautista, PA commanding general, presented the plaque of merit to brigade commander, Col. Francisco Patrimonio.
According to Information Officer Capt. Anacito Naz, the brigade fully utilized their military personnel and equipment and operationally controlled units with the support of Tactical Operations Group-6 of the Philippine Air Force during the disaster relief and rescue operations.
The same awards were also received by Privates Marlon Vera and Danny Faigane, who were deployed in the landslide area in barangay Solonggon, La Libertad to conduct rescue operation.
They were awarded for their moral courage and honesty in returning the P90,000 cash owned by Virginia Callora found in the retrieval site, said Naz.
The awarding highlighted the Army’s 115th founding anniversary program held at Fort Bonifacio in Metro Manila.
Also awarded were outstanding military officers and enlisted personnel, reservists, ROTC Cadets, CAFGU and civilian employees.
Naz said National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin delivered his message as guest of honor during the event.
Among the invited guests in the celebration were the previous Army commanders, Philippine Air Force and Navy commanders, area commanders, major army unit and brigade commanders and foreign armies defense attaches, among others.