GMA confers medals to Buan, other AFP officers who killed Abu Sayyaf terrorists

EDWIN ANDREWS AIR BASE, Zamboanga City—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today honored the military men who killed a senior Abu Sayyaf leader and his men recently and lauded their civilian informants in ceremonies held here this morning.

Their operation was a major victory in the fight against terrorism in the country and has raised the respect and confidence of the country’s allies in the global war against terrorism, the President noted.

Receiving the Distinguished Conduct Star Medal from the President was Lt. Col. Noel Buan. During the ceremony, the President upgraded the award to Medal of Valor in recognition of Buan’s distinguished service and bravery.

Buan, commander of the 1st Scout Ranger Regiment of the Philippine Army, headed the group that killed Abu Sayyaf leader Hamsirajih Sali who was wanted for a chain of kidnapping-for-ransom and terrorist activities in Mindanao. Sali carried a P5 million bounty on his head.

As a major and an intelligence officer, Buan was held prisoner of war by the New People’s Army and was released only after years of being held captive in Mindoro Oriental.

Awarded the Gold Cross Medal were Staff Sgt. Isidro Dindin and Cpl. Ernesto Estender who died in the encounter at Basilan. Their wives, Elsa and Amormia, received their medals.

"I would like to commend Col. Buan, our two martyrs, civilian informants and allies for their extremely valuable contribution to our war against terrorism," the President said.

Such actions of bravery by Buan and his men "have truly made our fight against terrorism very successful even compared to other nations," the President said.

Their bravery has helped in the positive assessment of the security situation in the country given by Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States, the President said.

"We consider this a validation of the gains we have accomplished in the global war against terrorism. We are confident that such an assessment will be backed up by concrete measures to bring in more investors to the country," the President noted in an official statement released in Manila.

The President also congratulated the Armed Forces of the Philippines headed by Chief of Staff Gen. Narciso Abaya, the AFP Southern Command headed by Gen. Roy Kyamko, and all the officers and enlisted personnel who did a great job.

"I am happy to highlight once again the success, bravery and martyrdom of our men in the field. To them we dedicate the victory we have against terrorism," the President said.

http://www.gov.ph/news/default.asp?newsid=4900

congrats to you sir and to the other soldiers... :thumb:

LET"S GO ARMY!!! para sa bayan........
RANGERS

Ex-NPA captive to receive Medal of Valor

A FORMER captive of the communist New People’s Army and now a member of the elite Scout Ranger unit will be awarded on Tuesday with the highest military decoration for valor in combat for his role in the neutralization of one of the top leaders of the Abu Sayyaf Group.

Lieutenant Colonel Noel Buan, commanding officer of 1st Scout Ranger Battalion, will be given the Medal of Valor by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during ceremonies scheduled at Malacañang’s Ceremonial Hall Tuesday. Along with Buan, his subordinate S/Sgt. Leopoldo Diokno Jr. will also receive the same award.

Link

what did this Sgt. Diokno do to merit the Medal of Valor?

Sgt. Diokno was with Col. Buan when their Sr team killed Sali.

Ive heard that there are rumblings re: whether Col Buan really is deserving of the MoV... :drunk:

Uy intriga yan a....

Of course he deserves it. The issue raised was procedural.

ito ay isang tanong lamang: bat kya karamihan ng mga mov winers ay mga officers, ito ba ay statistically possible?

sa britain, karamihan ng mga victoria cross winners ay enlisted, tulad din sa amerika, karamihan ng nakatanggap ng medal of honor ay enlisted...

Without intending to split hairs, count and make a conclusion if the Medal of Valor was earned more by officers than enlisted men.

MARINES
Pfc Nestor F Acero PM
CAPT CUSTODIO J PARCON JR PN(M)
LCOL ARIEL Q QUERUBIN PN(M)
Cpl Laurence M Narag PM
Cpl Ernesto A Layaguin PM
Sgt Tomas V Campo Jr PM
1LT LOLINATO G TOONG PN(M)
Sgt Domingo J Deluana PM
SSgt Herminigildo J Yurong PM

ARMY
MAJ FERDINAND E. MARCOS
MAJ EGMEDIO CRUZ
TSgt Francisco Camacho
Cpl Weena Martillana
CAPTAIN CONRADO D. YAP
SSgt Miguel Pastolero
Sgt Bienvenido Fajemolin
CAPTAIN HILARIO A. ESTRELLA
Sgt Francisco Granfil
CAPT ARTURO B ORTIZ
1LT BARTOLOME VICENTE O. BACARRO
Cpl Romualdo C. Rubi
SSgt Roy L. Cuenca
2LT JOSE E BANDONG JR.
CAPTAIN CIRILITO E SOBEJANA
Sgt Claudio Forrosueto
CAPT EDUARDO M. LUCERO
2LT HERBERT D. DILAG

CONSTABULARY
BGEN RAFAEL CRAME
MAJ GENERAL PAULINO SANTOS
MAJOR GENERAL MARIANO N CASTANEDA SR.

AIR FORCE (then Army Air Corps)
CAPTAIN JESUS VILLAMOR

IMHO, courage and valor knows no dividing line between officer and soldier. It favors the raw acts of courage and gallantry, at the risk of one's life, way above and beyond the call of duty. Perhaps fate and destiny intervene with the man being at the right place at the right time. Such acts of heroism would indomitably be found on men, officer or soldier, who lead at the point of the spear, be they officer or soldier, or individual acts of courage at grave risk of one's own life.

By the way, much more USAF officers earned the Medal of Honor than enlisted men. Only because combat pilots are predominantly officers.

I would not cast doubt on the valor of heroes by insinuating that my country favors honoring it's officers over it's soldiers.

:urpointis:

Very well said sir pendejo..doro's point is just to say something that he didnt researched very well before posting..tsk,,tsk... :nono:

:armyeek: for what?

The question still stands on who deserves it