HOMECOMING Senator Panfilo Lacson was the guest of honor of the recognition rites on saturday (Oct. 28) for the new set of cadets belonging to Philippine Military Academy Class of 2021. Lacson advised the 246 new cadets to act selflessly when they become military officers. Photo by EV ESPIRITU
FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City — The just-concluded military campaign to retake Marawi City from terrorists is full of stories about bravery and selflessness, which cadets of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) should emulate, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said here on Saturday.
“Officially, we won the battle. But triumph is never without cost,” Lacson said when he addressed 246 PMA cadets of Masaligan Class of 2021, who were officially recognized in rites at Borromeo Field here.
Heroism and gallantry entail risking one’s life as shown by PMA alumni and by soldiers they led during the Marawi conflict, he said.
Guest of honor
Lacson, a member of PMA Class of 1971, was the guest of honor in the rites, which coincided with the 119th Foundation Day celebration of the academy.
He said members of the Masaligan Class of 2021 would need to keep in mind that “defense of every citizen in this country” was their highest duty once they become military officers.
Many soldiers who fought in Marawi went beyond the call of duty to protect innocents and their comrades, among them was Capt. Rommel Sandoval, a Scout Ranger company commander, who died after he shielded one of his men from gunfire during battle.
246 recognized
According to PMA, 300 cadets were appointed to be part of Masaligan class but only 246 were officially recognized. The class is composed of 210 male cadets and 36 female cadets.
Earlier on Friday at Fort Magsaysay in Palayan City, the Army’s 7th Infantry Division honored 78 soldiers of the 72nd Division Reconnaissance Company who served in Marawi.
The soldiers were given a heroes’ welcome at the headquarters here on Friday night.
Rear defender
A Cabanatuan City resident, Lei Ann Cabanlit, was among the families who rushed out to greet the soldiers. Her husband, 1st Lt. Beethoven Cabanlit, left home on June 6 as part of the rear defenders for frontline assault units during the Marawi siege.
Lei, mother of a 2-year-old girl and a 3-month-old boy, said she followed every story about Marawi City. “I was always anxious. I did not know if he would even return,” she said.
“In going [to Marawi], their task is to defend the rear. That means they made sure that the soldiers would not be surprised by terrorist reinforcements, which is very important,” said Maj. Gen. Felimon Santos, 7th Infantry Division commanding general.
‘Played their role’
“They’ve played their role, they’ve played it well,” Santos said, adding that the company also manned checkpoints to prevent Maute fighters from moving from their stronghold. The soldiers also helped clear houses.
One soldier was welcomed by his young son, who came wearing a military uniform. He said the Marawi conflict did not dissuade him from encouraging his son’s aspiration to join the military.
Santos said the soldiers were entitled to a monthlong vacation.
He also honored Pfc. Nesty Tecson of the 7th Infantry Division who was among the 165 soldiers killed in action. Tecson, who was with a group of Scout Rangers, was killed during the final assault. —Karlston Lapniten and Armand Galang