From the Website of AFP
Story Links: http://www.afp.mil.ph/index.php/8-afp-news/227-afp-celebrates-79th-founding-anniversary
The celebration will open with Band
Drill Exhibitions from the GHQ, Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force,
and Philippine Navy followed by the Arrival Honors for President Aquino
signaling the start of the program proper.
Story Links: http://www.afp.mil.ph/index.php/8-afp-news/227-afp-celebrates-79th-founding-anniversary
CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City—The Armed Forces of the Philippines will celebrate its 79th
founding anniversary here on Thursday (Dec 18) with a theme
“Sandatahang Lakas: Ika-79 taong Naglilingkod ng tapat tungo sa
Kapayapaan, Kaunlaran at Kasaganaan”.
The Commander-in-Chief and President,
His Excellency Benigno S Aquino III, will lead the celebration that
highlights a testimonial parade and review showcasing the colorful
history of the AFP.
President Aquino is also expected to
award deserving military personnel, civilian employees, military
reservists and ROTC cadets as part of the momentous event.
“Our anniversary celebration will be
modest, but special nonetheless since this is an opportunity to showcase
developments in our reform and modernization programs in the AFP,” AFP
Spokesman Col Restituto Padilla Jr said.
AFP Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio P
Catapang Jr. is set to deliver his welcome remarks followed by the
High-Speed Opener, the Presentation of Command and Honors, Inspection of
Troops, Honors to the Nation, and the Awarding Ceremony.
Awards for accomplishments
A total of 28 officers, enlisted
personnel, civilian employees, and cadet reservists will be awarded for
their invaluable accomplishments in the service of the people.
Leading the awardees are MGen Oscar
Lactao and BGen Alexander Balutan who will receive the Philippine Legion
of Honor – Degree of Officer for their exceptionally meritorious and
valuable service rendered in a position of major responsibility.
Lactao was the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations in December 2013 to September 2014 and current Commander of the 4th Infantry Division. On the other hand, Balutan was cited for his numerous accomplishments as the former commander of the 1st Marine Brigade from November 2010 to February 2014 and now Deputy Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command.
The Outstanding Achievement Medal will
also be awarded to MGen Victor V Bayani, Col Alvin Francis A Javier, and
Col Rolando Joselito D Bautista as Project Manager of three In-House
Research and Development Projects; Commander and General Manager of AFP
Commissary and Exchange Service; and Project Manager of a Career
Development Project respectively.
Receiving the second highest award in
the military, the Distinguished Conduct Star, is 1Lt Dante E Espiritu,
the Patrol Leader, 1st Scout Ranger Company that encountered
over 300 Abu Sayyaf bandits in Talipao, Sulu. Part of his citation
reads: “that inflicted heavy casualties to the enemy, thereby showcasing
extreme stability under fire and keeping up with the finest traditions
of Filipino soldiery.”
Distinguished Service Stars will be given to BGen Vic C Castro, Commander of 702nd
Brigade from March 2012 to April 2014; Lt Col Erick Q Escarcha, Group
Commander of Tactical Operations Group 11 from April 2013 to April 2014;
and Cdr Marcos Y Imperio, Commander of Naval Communications,
Electronics, and Information Service Center from September 2007 to March
2014.
Also, Col Jorge B Lomboy of the AFP
Peace Process Office and LtCol Glenn joy U Aynera of the Technical
Working Group for Cordillera People’s Liberation Army will receive the
Gawad sa Kapayapaan award for the successful closure of the peace
process with former CPLA rebels in Northern Luzon.
Receiving the Gold Cross Medal, the
fourth highest military award, are Cpt Edwin Duclan, Ground Commander of
Joint Special Operations Unit 1 in Macalang, Al Barka Basilan; 1Lt
Alfie P Ayo, Platoon Leader, 31st Infantry Battalion in Upper Calmayon, Juban, Sorsogon; and SSg Andy R Mejos, 7th Philippine Contingent to Golan Heights.
The Gawad sa Kaunlaran, an award for
meritorious and valuable achievement in the pursuit of socio-economic
and non-combat activities, will be awarded to Col Rodrigo T Gregorio,
U7, WESMINCOM; Col Joseph M Acosta, Medical Incident Commander in Samar
and Leyte; LtCol Reynaldo D Gabinete, Disaster Response Operation Unit
in Bohol; and Maj Alano S Abdulhalim, member of CMO in Western Mindanao.
Meanwhile, the Bronze Cross Medal will
also be given to LCDR Bennie B Demetillo for their successful
anti-illegal drugs campaign; Cpt Carlo C David, UH-1H pilot; and Cpl
Antonio A Manipis Jr for heroism following the devastation of super
typhoon Yolanda.
Col Glicerio G Peralta, the Commander of 18th
Philippine Contingent to Liberia, will also receive his United Nations
Service Medal and Ribbon. He was among the 4 peacekeepers who have just
finished their quarantine at the AFP Medical Center last week.
CAA Sergio P Ebañez Jr, member of the 17th CAFGU, A Coy, 72nd
Infantry Battalion, will receive the Kagitingan sa Barangay award for
the risk of life beyond the call of duty during an encounter with over
30 NPAs in Compostela Valley.
The Outstanding Achievement Award (OAM)
will also be given to Tsg Joselito E Luna as EP of the year; Mr Nilo B
Abaigar as Model Civilian Supervisor of the Year; Dr Shiela R Liboon as
Model Civilian Employee of the Year; Cdt LtCol Jan Rogie G Macandili as
Male ROTC Cadet of the Year; and Cdt Major Joy Nathalie M Avelino as
Female ROTC Cadet of the Year.
Activities
Under the theme, “SandatahangLakas:
Ika-79 na Taong Naglilingkod ng Tapat Tungo sa Kapayapaan, Kaunlaran, at
Kasaganaan,” this year’s celebration is packed with several activities
lined up leading to tomorrow’s celebration.
The AFP also hosted the AFP Governance
Expo here Wednesday (December 17) that featured a lecture on “Sustaining
the Government’s Good Governance Initiative to Power Peace and
Development” by Secretary Jose Rene D Almendras, Secretary of the
Cabinet of the Philippines.
Dubbed as the AFP Governance Exposition
2014, the military will highlight its AFP Transformation Roadmap (AFPTR)
that serves as a strategy guide for the AFP to become “a world-class
armed forces and source of national pride” by 2028.
“The AFPTR is our commitment to the
Filipino as we strive to transform the military into a strong and
credible public institution,” Padilla said.
The program started at 8 a.m. and
featured the presentation of the AFP Guidebook on Governance and
Strategy Management to the Secretary of National Defense, Honorable
Voltaire T Gazmin.
It was followed by the presentation of
several milestones in the implementation of the AFPTR including the
Ceremonial Log-in to the AFP e-Governance Website; the turnover of
Strategy Maps and Scorecards; and the Commitment Ceremony to the AFPTR.
Plaques of Recognition were also awarded
to the AFP units and offices that made significant progress in their
reform and transformation programs in line with the AFPTR.
General Catapangalso led today’s
planting of over 300 bamboos at Villa San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal. This
will be part of the National Greening Program (NGP) and Bamboo Planting
Activity that will be replicated by other Unified Commands and AFP
units across the country.
“The bamboos were chosen because of its
efficient carbon capture capability and cheaper reforestation cost. This
activity, when done nationwide, will significantly help us in our
battle against climate change and its effects,” Catapang said.
In line with the NGP of the national
government, the AFP assumed an expanded role in addressing
non-traditional threats such as climate change. The launching signifies
the AFP’s contribution to reduce and lessen the destructiveness of
climate change.
For the launching in Rizal, the Southern Luzon Command through the 2nd
Infantry Division established a partnership with the Pasig River
Rehabilitation Commission, local government units of Rodriguez, and the
Philippine Bamboo Foundation.
The program aims to mitigate the effects
of climate change in coordination with regional offices of the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources and local government
agencies.
AFP Websites
Links:
http://humanrightspromotions.blogspot.com/
http://www.humanrightspromotions.co.nr
PEACE TALK PHILIPPINES
PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
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