CLARK AIR BASE—The military officers who led the security preparations for the visit of Pope Francis and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit and 17 others were cited during the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) 80th anniversary on Monday.
Commodore Raul Ubando, head of the Presidential Security Group, was given the Philippine Legion of Honor (PLOH) for taking the lead in the overall security preparations during the visit of the Catholic Church leader in the Philippines in January.
The PLOH is the highest award that the president may grant without the concurrence of the Congress. It is awarded to those recognized in military or defense affairs or for “for contributions to the preservation of the honor of the republic.”
Ubando was recognized “for his sterling performance in thwarting imminent danger to Pope Francis’ life.”
The Distinguished Service Star, meanwhile, was awarded to Brig. Gen. Apolinario Alobba for leading the military’s security preparations during the Apec summit last month.
Former Agusan del Sur Mayor Dario Otaza of Loreto town, who was killed by New People’s Army last October, was given the AFP Bayanihan Award.
The award is a recognition for active stakeholders, both from government and nongovernment agencies, who have helped the AFP in achieving its goals through its Bayanihan anti-insurgency campaign which focuses on noncombat dimension.
Otaza was a former NPA leader who had surrendered to the government. His wife Ligaya received the award.
Other awardees include Capt. Dranreb Lansang, who received the Distinguished Conduct Star, the second highest award for combat, “for acts of conspicuous courage and gallantry in action” during an encounter with New People’s Army in Barangay Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, in 2011.
There were three recipients of the Gold Cross Medal, the third highest military award for combat, namely: Sgt. Raul Montero of the Philippine Marines, for his encounter with members of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Maguindanao; Technical Sgt. Menardo Ibanez of the Air Force for his encounter with NPA in Batangas; and Private First Class Ronie Gusto for his encounter with NPA in Sarangani.
The Meritorious Achievement Medal was awarded to 2nd Lt. Rezel Faith Sela for leading her platoon in Sarangani to facilitate the delivery of basic services and promote livelihood, among other activities.
The recipients of the Bronze Cross Medal were Master Sgt. Bernard Blanco of the First Air Division, for his role in rescue operations during the massive floods from Typhoon “Lando,” and Private First Class Cyrrus Vincent Verdote for disarming explosives in Surigao del Sur.
Kagitingan sa Barangay award, which is given to militias, is given to CAA Yolly Perez for his encounter with NPA in Agusan del Sur.
The AFP Enlisted Personnel of the Year was Technical Sgt. Joel Alegre. This award is given “for outstanding achievement and performance of duties and for possessing good traits and characteritsic that display the ideals of an enlisted personnel of the AFP.
Engr. Wenefredo Abalos, computer programmer of Army Signal in the Philippine Army, was awarded the AFP Model Civilian Supervisor of the Year; while Efren Tabtab, information system analyst from the Philippine Military Academy, was named the AFP Model Civilian Employee of the Year.
C/Col Juan Miguel Cabrera of De La Salle-Dasmariñas was named the Male ROTC Cadet of the Year and Cdt LTC Lanie Martinez of Surigao State University was awarded the Female ROTC Cadet of the Year.
Other awardees of the AFP Bayanihan award were retired Maj. Gen. Daniel Casabar, executive director for operations of the Hero Foundation, for providing educational assistance to the children and families of soldiers killed in action; Fr. Marciano “Rocky” Evangelista, the founder of Tuloy Foundation; and Cristina Ferreros of Wanita Dan Harapan Foundation for their cause-oriented activities.
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