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Col. Pastor Martelino
In 1918, Pastor Martelino won an appointment to the United States Military Academy, the only Filipino in his class. Here he continued his outstanding scholastic record, graduating number 66 in a class of 271.
Upon graduation he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant, Coast Artillery Corps, Philippine Scouts, and served in the development of the harbor defenses of Manila and Subic Bay.
Pastor Martelino was appointed in 1936 by President Manuel L. Quezon and General Douglas MacArthur as Superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy and served in that capacity for four years with the assimilated rank of Colonel in the Philippine Commonwealth Army.
During the Bataan campaign he served, with the grade of Colonel, as Chief of Staff, 31st Infantry Division, United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE), under Brigadier General Clifford Bluemel.
Escaping from Bataan on the day of surrender, he proceeded to Manila and joined the underground. He continued his underground activities for most of the Japanese occupation under the direction of General Manuel Roxas. However, surveillance by the Japanese Military resulted in the arrest of Col. Martelino on December 22, 1944 .
According to handwritten witness reports, Col. Martelino was subjected to extreme torture by his Japanese captors in order to force him to collaborate. For starters, Martelino was offered the rank of General in the Army. When he refused, he was subjected to beating by electric cables, hanging upside down, and repeated immersion in water to the point of drowning.
According to the witness, one of Martelino’s last statement was: “Don’t forget to tell my wife that I die for the Philippines. . . I will die with my thoughts with her, my sons, and my country.”
The witness continued: “On the night of December 28, 1944, the Japanese removed Col. Martelino from his cell. I thereafter did not see Col. Martelino again.”
Col. Martelino is recognized as a War Hero by both the Philippines and the United States.
(Account from Peter Moran, grandson of Col. Pastor Martelino,
as edited by Rafael E. Evangelista, 19 March 2015)
MESSAGE FROM NAKAR
A DBC STATEMENT ON FILIPINO MILITARY HEROES
The atrocities of 1942 – the Bataan Death March, the Death Camps of Capas, the Pantingan Massacre in Bataan – and the appalling crimes of 1945 – the Rape of Manila, the Massacres of Southern Luzon, among others, must be remembered and made part of our national psyche. Numerous books on those times have been written mostly by Americans, about Americans, and for Americans. Yet a majority of those who fought and died in the Philippine Theater of War were Filipinos. Eighty-five percent of the troops in Bataan were Filipinos. Filipino school text-books are pathetically inadequate, and often times the military markers placed by our erstwhile foreign colonizers and invaders all over the country represent a badly distorted history of events. In Japan, generations of young people have never learned the truth about the barbaric behavior of Japanese troops in the Philippines, and have been fed the self serving propaganda that their country was the victim, not the aggressor in World War II.
World War II in the Philippines is also a representation of how the Filipino people, from the eve of their independence, reacted sometimes patiently, oftentimes violently to the brutal intrusion of an enemy invasion; how they held up with stoic resolve despite abandonment by their colonial sovereign, the United States of America, which pursued a Europe-first policy; how they refused to surrender to the Japanese invaders inwardly and whenever possible outwardly; how numerous Filipino troops ignored the orders their American Commanders to give up and went to the mountains to continue fighting.
The Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor (DBC) is a living memorial to the Filipino Soldier who fought and died (or lived) in the field of battle in Bataan and Corregidor, the Death March, the Prison Camps of Capas and the Philippine Theater during the Second World War. The DBC also seeks to pay tribute to all the Filipino military heroes who served the Philippines with resolve and courage in other wars before and after Bataan and Corregidor and World War II.
World War II in the Philippines is also a representation of how the Filipino people, from the eve of their independence, reacted sometimes patiently, oftentimes violently to the brutal intrusion of an enemy invasion; how they held up with stoic resolve despite abandonment by their colonial sovereign, the United States of America, which pursued a Europe-first policy; how they refused to surrender to the Japanese invaders inwardly and whenever possible outwardly; how numerous Filipino troops ignored the orders their American Commanders to give up and went to the mountains to continue fighting.
The Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor (DBC) is a living memorial to the Filipino Soldier who fought and died (or lived) in the field of battle in Bataan and Corregidor, the Death March, the Prison Camps of Capas and the Philippine Theater during the Second World War. The DBC also seeks to pay tribute to all the Filipino military heroes who served the Philippines with resolve and courage in other wars before and after Bataan and Corregidor and World War II.
Standing Ovation for War Vet
DR. EDMUNDO F. NOLASCO
The only other time Edmundo F. Nolasco addressed the Ateneo de Manila University was on March 30, 1949. The war over, the survivor of the Bataan Death March had stood proudly before the graduating class to deliver the valedictory speech, brimming with what he called the “distinctive Atenean swagger and accent.”
The second time came only 64 odd years later. Dr. Nolasco, 92, a war hero and one of the shining lights of the Philippine labor movement, had returned to his alma matter to receive the Lux in Domino (Light in the Lord) Award for his inspired pursuits in defense of country and the name of social justice. Dr. Nolasco’s acceptance speech was greeted with a standing ovation.
Dr. Nolasco was a student when World War II broke out. He volunteered and fought in the trenches of Bataan as part of the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE), becoming both witness and victim to the atrocities of war.
Dr. Nolasco belonged to the unit that fired the last shots in the Bataan campaign of the War. His experience of the War culminated in one of its most infamous episodes, the Bataan Death March of 1942.
Nolasco escaped from the Death March by pretending to be the husband of an unaccompanied woman and her child in the town of Pilar in Bataan. It is said Nolasco escaped by hiding under the saya of the woman, an account he denies with a chuckle. He continued his military service to his country until the end of the War by joining the guerilla movement that fought the Japanese invaders.
Soon after the end of World War II, Dr. Nolasco entered the Lakas Movement. Aside from eventually becoming the Executive Vice President of the Federation of Free Workers, Dr. Nolasco was one of the leading organizers in the labor movement in the Philippines.
The Lux in Domino Award is the highest award of the Ateneo. The award is “a capstone award that requires the crowning achievement of both life and work given to an extraordinary individual who has incarnated in life, and perhaps even in death. in an outstanding and exemplary manner, the noblest ideals of the Ateneo de Manila University.”
Ironically, in one of the cruel twists of military history, Dr. Nolasco has not been recognized by the US Government as an authentic combatant and member of the USAFFE, and has not received any compensation for his War service.
The second time came only 64 odd years later. Dr. Nolasco, 92, a war hero and one of the shining lights of the Philippine labor movement, had returned to his alma matter to receive the Lux in Domino (Light in the Lord) Award for his inspired pursuits in defense of country and the name of social justice. Dr. Nolasco’s acceptance speech was greeted with a standing ovation.
Dr. Nolasco was a student when World War II broke out. He volunteered and fought in the trenches of Bataan as part of the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE), becoming both witness and victim to the atrocities of war.
Dr. Nolasco belonged to the unit that fired the last shots in the Bataan campaign of the War. His experience of the War culminated in one of its most infamous episodes, the Bataan Death March of 1942.
Nolasco escaped from the Death March by pretending to be the husband of an unaccompanied woman and her child in the town of Pilar in Bataan. It is said Nolasco escaped by hiding under the saya of the woman, an account he denies with a chuckle. He continued his military service to his country until the end of the War by joining the guerilla movement that fought the Japanese invaders.
Soon after the end of World War II, Dr. Nolasco entered the Lakas Movement. Aside from eventually becoming the Executive Vice President of the Federation of Free Workers, Dr. Nolasco was one of the leading organizers in the labor movement in the Philippines.
The Lux in Domino Award is the highest award of the Ateneo. The award is “a capstone award that requires the crowning achievement of both life and work given to an extraordinary individual who has incarnated in life, and perhaps even in death. in an outstanding and exemplary manner, the noblest ideals of the Ateneo de Manila University.”
Ironically, in one of the cruel twists of military history, Dr. Nolasco has not been recognized by the US Government as an authentic combatant and member of the USAFFE, and has not received any compensation for his War service.
STORY OF A USAFFE/PAF HERO
The photo above shows an American (on the right), who as a young boy in the Philippines during World War II witnessed a dogfight where a Philippine Army Air Corps (PAAC) P-26 fighter plane number 306 tried to ram a Japanese Zero. The boy asked himself "WHO IS THIS CRAZY PILOT?" After the war when grew up, he became a journalist and wrote an article about the episode and tried to locate the "CRAZY" pilot...
The crazy pilot he was referring to was GODOFREDO JULIANO (A former Flying Cadet of the PAAC Flying School Class of 1939A). Godofredo Juliano was a Brigadier General when the American, now a journalist, finally met him. He gave a painting of the famous air combat based on what he saw to GENERAL JULIANO. The reason why then LT JULIANO tried to ram the Zero fighter was that his guns were jammed and in the heat of action decided to ram the Japanese Zero instead. Sir GODOY's son would later say, "Naku, kung naabutan pala nya yong Jap wala ako sa mundo no? Good thing the Jap plane was faster than the P-26."
The crazy pilot he was referring to was GODOFREDO JULIANO (A former Flying Cadet of the PAAC Flying School Class of 1939A). Godofredo Juliano was a Brigadier General when the American, now a journalist, finally met him. He gave a painting of the famous air combat based on what he saw to GENERAL JULIANO. The reason why then LT JULIANO tried to ram the Zero fighter was that his guns were jammed and in the heat of action decided to ram the Japanese Zero instead. Sir GODOY's son would later say, "Naku, kung naabutan pala nya yong Jap wala ako sa mundo no? Good thing the Jap plane was faster than the P-26."
THE PANTINGAN MASSACRE
When
the soldiers of the USAFFE regrouped at Bataan and Corregidor under Plan
Orange, it was with the understanding and belief that the Defenders would be
reinforced and relieved by forces and supplies from the United States in 6
months time. And this understanding and belief was founded on the fact that Plan
Orange did call for the reinforcement and relief of the allied troops in Bataan
and Corregidor within that period of time.
There are indications that even Gen. Douglas MacArthur, the Commanding
General of the U.S. Armed Forces in the Philippines, believed this to be so.
Alas, this was not to be. U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, under pressure from Great Britain’s Prime Minister Winston Churchill, made the fateful decision in early 1942 to focus the resources and armies of the United States on the rescue of White Europe. In the meantime, the only colony of the United States, the Philippines, was to be sacrificed at the altar of war. The relief and rescue promised would not come within the 6 months promised by Plan Orange, but in 1945, 3 years later.
The sense of abandonment of the Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor was probably best captured by the chant: ‘We’re the battling bastards of Bataan. No mama, no papa, no Uncle Sam. . . No planes, no artillery pieces. . . And nobody gives a damn!’ But the Defenders kept fighting long after the 50 day timetable of Japanese General Masaharu Homma to conquer the Philippines had come and gone, long after neighboring countries had all fallen to the Japanese invaders.
Alas, this was not to be. U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, under pressure from Great Britain’s Prime Minister Winston Churchill, made the fateful decision in early 1942 to focus the resources and armies of the United States on the rescue of White Europe. In the meantime, the only colony of the United States, the Philippines, was to be sacrificed at the altar of war. The relief and rescue promised would not come within the 6 months promised by Plan Orange, but in 1945, 3 years later.
The sense of abandonment of the Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor was probably best captured by the chant: ‘We’re the battling bastards of Bataan. No mama, no papa, no Uncle Sam. . . No planes, no artillery pieces. . . And nobody gives a damn!’ But the Defenders kept fighting long after the 50 day timetable of Japanese General Masaharu Homma to conquer the Philippines had come and gone, long after neighboring countries had all fallen to the Japanese invaders.
THE YASUKUNI SHRINE
The Yasukuni Shrine in Japan honors 2.5 million Japanese war dead, including 14 leading war criminals from World War II. Those enshrined at Yasukuni include General Hideki Tojo, the Japanese Prime Minister who ordered the attack on Pearl Harbor. Tojo was convicted of war crimes and hanged as a war criminal. Generals Masaharu Homma and Tomoyuki Yamashita who were found guilty of war crimes in the Philippines and hanged are also buried there. The Shrine has triggered a long simmering resentment of Japan by its Asian neighbors. Additionally, visits to the Shrine by Japanese Prime Ministers, ministers, and dignitaries over the years have sparked outrage in Asian countries. This, because many Asians feel Japan has failed to atone for its brutal expansionist adventurism in the first half of the 20th century. In the infamous ‘Rape of Manila’ alone, more than 100,000 civilians were killed and/or raped by Japanese occupying forces. In the infamous ‘Death March’ and the notorious ‘Prisoner Death Camps of Capas, approximately 26,000 Filipino soldier prisoners lost their lives because of Japanese brutality. In the little known Pantingan Massacre of Bataan, over 300 bound Filipino officers were either beheaded or bayoneted in cold blood in a killing spree by the Japanese that took over 2 hours. Thousands of young Filipinas, the so called ‘Comfort Women’, were conscripted into sexual slavery for the gratification of Japanese soldiers. None of the victims of these atrocities or their families have ever received compensation or gained satisfaction from Japan.
- Rafael E. Evangelista, 16 August 2012
The Unheralded War
Feats of
Filipino Fishermen: The Koga
Papers
The “Z Plan” drafted by Admiral Mineichi Koga of the Japanese Imperial Navy, was adopted in March, 1944 as the Japanese “Combined Fleet Secret Operations Order No. 73.” The Z Plan anticipated the moves of the Allied forces in the Pacific, including the plan to commence operations in the Philippines through Mindanao first.
But in April, 1944, a typhoon slammed into two Japanese planes flying from Palau to Davao, Philippines. One plane carried Admiral Koga. Koga’s plane disappeared in the maelstorm. The second plane, carrying Rear Admiral Sinigeru Fukudome, ditched off Balud, Masbate, Philippines. Filipino fishermen Ricardo Bolo and Cornelio Manguas pulled out 11 survivors, including Fukudome. At great risk to themselves, the Filipino fishermen turned over the Japanese survivors to Filipino guerillas led by Col. James Cushing in Cebu. Two days later, two other fishermen Pedro Gantuangko and Rufo Wamar, recovered “a box blackened by oil” off Barangay Perilos. It contained documents, condoms, plus handful of gold pieces. Again, at great risk to themselves, these two fishermen turned over the captured documents to Col. Cushing.
The documents later referred to as the “Koga Papers” detailed the plans of the Imperial Armed Forces to defend the Philippines and the rest of the Pacific Theater of War against the anticipated onslaught of the Allied Forces. The capture of the Koga Papers by Filipinos radically altered the outcome of World War II in the Pacific.
Within 24 hours of the capture of the 11 crash survivors, the Japanese soldiers under Cebu Commander Takeshi Watanabe started a burnt earth program in Cebu, leaving in their wake burnt houses and executed civilians. The massacres were conducted to force the return of the Japanese crash survivors and the Koga Papers.
The Japanese survivors, including Admiral Fukudome, were returned, but the Koga Papers were not. The papers were sneaked to Tolong in Negros Oriental. Midnight of June 5, a submarine surfaced and took the papers back to Australia.
U.S. Naval Fleet – Battle of Leyte Gulf
The Koga Papers proved invaluable to the Allies in the decisive sea battle of Leyte Gulf along the Sibuyan Sea to the waters of Samar. The Japanese Navy’s High Command had committed its entire remaining fleet under Adm. Takeo Kuroda to the battle that took place from Oct. 23 to 26, 1944. Guided by the Koga Papers, the US 3rd Fleet under Adm. William “Bull” Halsey engaged the Japanese fleet, resulting in the destruction of all Kuroda’s aircraft carriers and many of his remaining ships. The Japanese Imperial Navy ceased to be an effective fighting force for Japan for the remainder of the war.
Today, no marker recalls how ordinary fishermen rewrote history despite risks to their lives. The names of Ricardo Bolo, Cornelio Manguas, Pedro Gantuangko and Rufo Wamar are forgotten postscripts of World War II. The names of the civilian victims of the massacre ordered by Japanese Cebu Commander Takeshi Watanabe are unrecorded and unkown. Nothing is known whether Watanabe was never held accountable for his war crimes.
But in April, 1944, a typhoon slammed into two Japanese planes flying from Palau to Davao, Philippines. One plane carried Admiral Koga. Koga’s plane disappeared in the maelstorm. The second plane, carrying Rear Admiral Sinigeru Fukudome, ditched off Balud, Masbate, Philippines. Filipino fishermen Ricardo Bolo and Cornelio Manguas pulled out 11 survivors, including Fukudome. At great risk to themselves, the Filipino fishermen turned over the Japanese survivors to Filipino guerillas led by Col. James Cushing in Cebu. Two days later, two other fishermen Pedro Gantuangko and Rufo Wamar, recovered “a box blackened by oil” off Barangay Perilos. It contained documents, condoms, plus handful of gold pieces. Again, at great risk to themselves, these two fishermen turned over the captured documents to Col. Cushing.
The documents later referred to as the “Koga Papers” detailed the plans of the Imperial Armed Forces to defend the Philippines and the rest of the Pacific Theater of War against the anticipated onslaught of the Allied Forces. The capture of the Koga Papers by Filipinos radically altered the outcome of World War II in the Pacific.
Within 24 hours of the capture of the 11 crash survivors, the Japanese soldiers under Cebu Commander Takeshi Watanabe started a burnt earth program in Cebu, leaving in their wake burnt houses and executed civilians. The massacres were conducted to force the return of the Japanese crash survivors and the Koga Papers.
The Japanese survivors, including Admiral Fukudome, were returned, but the Koga Papers were not. The papers were sneaked to Tolong in Negros Oriental. Midnight of June 5, a submarine surfaced and took the papers back to Australia.
U.S. Naval Fleet – Battle of Leyte Gulf
The Koga Papers proved invaluable to the Allies in the decisive sea battle of Leyte Gulf along the Sibuyan Sea to the waters of Samar. The Japanese Navy’s High Command had committed its entire remaining fleet under Adm. Takeo Kuroda to the battle that took place from Oct. 23 to 26, 1944. Guided by the Koga Papers, the US 3rd Fleet under Adm. William “Bull” Halsey engaged the Japanese fleet, resulting in the destruction of all Kuroda’s aircraft carriers and many of his remaining ships. The Japanese Imperial Navy ceased to be an effective fighting force for Japan for the remainder of the war.
Today, no marker recalls how ordinary fishermen rewrote history despite risks to their lives. The names of Ricardo Bolo, Cornelio Manguas, Pedro Gantuangko and Rufo Wamar are forgotten postscripts of World War II. The names of the civilian victims of the massacre ordered by Japanese Cebu Commander Takeshi Watanabe are unrecorded and unkown. Nothing is known whether Watanabe was never held accountable for his war crimes.
- Rafael E. Evangelista, 12 February 2014
General Jose L. Rancudo
Defender, PAF Commanding General, Hero, Martyr
JOSE L. RANCUDO, a Flying/Aviation Cadet of the Philippine Air Corps Flying School, became the PAF Commanding General from 15 January 1972 to 27 March 1976. . .
Then Cadet Rancudo fought with the PAAC Provisional Infantry Battalion during World War II at Bataan as platoon commander of the aviation cadet component. He was taken prisoner by the Japanese and held at Capas, Tarlac. Released on 05 October 1942, he later joined the resistance movement by creating his own guerrilla unit called the “AGUILA”.
Rancudo became the Squadron Commander of the 6th Fighter Squadron equipped with F-51 Mustangs in 1951. In 1953 he was among the first leaders of the legendary PAF Precision Aerobatic Team, the “Blue Diamond”. During the Huk Campaign in the early 50’s his squadron provided the firepower support from the air to government ground forces. Rancudo and his squadron were also dispatched to Mindanao and Sulu during campaigns against local outlaws particularly, Hadji Kamlon. During both Huk and Kamlon campaigns, he flew a total of 247 combat sorties and was hit 293 times.
He became the Commanding General of the PAF in 15 January 1972. On 23 December 1973 he was promoted to a Major General, the first PAF chief to achieve the 2-star rank in Philippine Military History. He understood the importance of maintaining at a certain degree of projecting the country’s air power for external defense through construction of an airstrip at Pag-asa island one of the disputed islands at the Spratlys.
He was murdered by New People’s Army communist rebels on 14 April 1987 at his fishpond in Guagua, Pampanga. In his memory the PAF named the Pag-asa airstrip at the Spratlys Rancudo Air Field in 17 February 1992.
Then Cadet Rancudo fought with the PAAC Provisional Infantry Battalion during World War II at Bataan as platoon commander of the aviation cadet component. He was taken prisoner by the Japanese and held at Capas, Tarlac. Released on 05 October 1942, he later joined the resistance movement by creating his own guerrilla unit called the “AGUILA”.
Rancudo became the Squadron Commander of the 6th Fighter Squadron equipped with F-51 Mustangs in 1951. In 1953 he was among the first leaders of the legendary PAF Precision Aerobatic Team, the “Blue Diamond”. During the Huk Campaign in the early 50’s his squadron provided the firepower support from the air to government ground forces. Rancudo and his squadron were also dispatched to Mindanao and Sulu during campaigns against local outlaws particularly, Hadji Kamlon. During both Huk and Kamlon campaigns, he flew a total of 247 combat sorties and was hit 293 times.
He became the Commanding General of the PAF in 15 January 1972. On 23 December 1973 he was promoted to a Major General, the first PAF chief to achieve the 2-star rank in Philippine Military History. He understood the importance of maintaining at a certain degree of projecting the country’s air power for external defense through construction of an airstrip at Pag-asa island one of the disputed islands at the Spratlys.
He was murdered by New People’s Army communist rebels on 14 April 1987 at his fishpond in Guagua, Pampanga. In his memory the PAF named the Pag-asa airstrip at the Spratlys Rancudo Air Field in 17 February 1992.
MEDAL FOR VALOR
AWARD OF THE MEDAL FOR VALOR
By direction of the President, pursuant to paragraph 2a, Section I, AFPR G 131-051, this Headquarters, dated 21 January 1954, the MEDAL FOR VALOR is hereby awarded to:
LIEUTENANT COLONEL JESUS ANTONIO VILLAMOR
0888172 USAF
By direction of the President, pursuant to paragraph 2a, Section I, AFPR G 131-051, this Headquarters, dated 21 January 1954, the MEDAL FOR VALOR is hereby awarded to:
LIEUTENANT COLONEL JESUS ANTONIO VILLAMOR
0888172 USAF
for conspicuous courage and
extraordinary heroism above and beyond the call of duty during the period from
27 December 1942 to November 1943. With the fall of Bataan and Corregidor to
the Japanese Imperial Army Forces early in the summer of 1942, radio
communication with other parts of the Philippines by General MacArthur’s
Headquarters in Australia was rendered impossible. But the few men that escaped
from the Philippines and
were able to reach Australia
brought the welcome news that the guerillas were operating against the Japanese
all over the Philippines.
Although in the summer of 1942 General Headquarters Southwest Pacific, began to
receive messages from the guerillas in the Philippines, General MacArthur was
not sure that the messages actually came from the guerillas. To clear all
doubts, General MacArthur decided to get in touch with members of the
resistance movement in the Philippines,
and for this purpose he enlisted the services of Lieutenant Colonel Jesus
Antonio Villamor to return to the islands. Notwithstanding the knowledge that
such a mission was fought with hardships, difficulties, and risks to his own
life, Lieutenant Colonel Villamor nevertheless volunteered to lead the first
Allied Intelligence Bureau mission to the Philippines on 27 December 1942
aboard the United States submarine “GUDGEON.” Despite the heavy hand of the
Japanese all over the Philippines at the time, Lieutenant Colonel Villamor had
successfully established an intelligence and secret service net through out the
Island; established a change of communications, both local and to Australia,
many of whom were still in direct contact with General MacArthur’s Headquarters
during the Philippine landings in 1944; coordinated with guerilla leaders, and
as a result an eventual escape route to Australia to accommodate evacuation of
selected individuals in the interest of future planning was arranged, while
petty differences among guerilla leaders were settled amicably; was able to
develop and train a potent organization for subversive activities, propaganda,
limited resistance and sabotage against the Japanese; established the rudiments
of the intelligence and secret service net upon “CELL” system for mutual
protection; and successfully made and intelligence survey throughout Luzon,
Visayas and Mindanao to obtain information about Japanese political. Military
and civil intentions, strength and dispositions. Altogether, these
accomplishments of Lieutenant Colonel Villamor had enabled General MacArthur’s
Headquarters to map out the strategy that was to be employed later in the
liberation of the Philippines from the enemy. In accomplishing these tasks of
incalculable strategic importance, Lieutenant Colonel Villamor had once again
manifested daring resourcefulness and long-sustained courage in the face of
tremendous odds that had characterized his exploits in Philippine skies during
the early phase of war. By these achievements, Lieutenant Colonel Villamor had
earned for himself the enduring love and respect of his countrymen and had
rendered service of inestimable value to the Allied Cause.
AWARD OF MEDAL FOR VALOR
By direction of the President, pursuant to paragraph 2a, Section I, AFPR 600-45, dated 16 December 1948, the Medal for Valor is hereby awarded to:
MGEN MARIANO N CASTAÑEDA O-1032 AFP
for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in the face of imminent danger at the risk of life to protect His Excellency, Manuel A Roxas, the first President of the Republic of the Philippines.
By direction of the President, pursuant to paragraph 2a, Section I, AFPR 600-45, dated 16 December 1948, the Medal for Valor is hereby awarded to:
MGEN MARIANO N CASTAÑEDA O-1032 AFP
for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in the face of imminent danger at the risk of life to protect His Excellency, Manuel A Roxas, the first President of the Republic of the Philippines.
On
the event of the Party Plebiscite on 10 March 1947, after the late President
Roxas had delivered his forceful speech for its approval to about 25,000 people
assembled in Plaza, Miranda, Quiapo and to the nation over the National Radio
Network, an attempt to assassinate him was made by means of a hand grenade
thrown at the President. The deadly missile landed on the speaker’s platform
and rolled towards the center of the late President Roxas and other ranking
government officials. In spite of the inevitable explosion and its lethal
results, General Castañeda, then Chief of the Constabulary, in complete
disregard of his personal safety, rushed from his seat behind the President’s
chair to the lethal weapon which was about to explode, and with extraordinary
coolness and presence of mind ordered the people to lie down and then kicked
the death-dealing grenade down the steps of the platform where it exploded. His
presence of mind and display of exemplary courage and bravery in the timely
disposal of the lethal grenade saved the life of the First President of the
Philippines and those of his family and other higher ranking officials of the
Republic, who at that moment, were all with him on the platform.
AWARD OF THE MEDAL FOR VALOR
(Posthumous)
By direction of the President, pursuant to paragraphs 3a and 10, Section I, Armed Forces of the Philippines regulations G 131-052, this Headquarters, dated 24 April 1967, the MEDAL FOR VALOR is hereby posthumously awarded to:
Private First Class Nestor F Acero 574126
Philippine Navy (Marines)
(Posthumous)
By direction of the President, pursuant to paragraphs 3a and 10, Section I, Armed Forces of the Philippines regulations G 131-052, this Headquarters, dated 24 April 1967, the MEDAL FOR VALOR is hereby posthumously awarded to:
Private First Class Nestor F Acero 574126
Philippine Navy (Marines)
for conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty against
heavily armed and numerically superior Muslim outlaws in the vicinity of Sibalo
Hill Punai, Jolo, Sulu from 26 to 27 November 1972. As the 7th and 8th
Marine Companies, serving as assault units, approached the top of the hill they
were met with heavy resistance from the enemy’s 30-caliber and 50-caliber
machine guns and surrounded by about 500 fully armed outlaws. Defending their
grounds against intense enemy fire from automatic and crew-served weapons, the
two companies suffered heavy casualties and found their positions untenable.
Upon order of the Battalion Commander, the two companies started to disengage
themselves from the scene of battle. Private First Class Acero of the 7th
Marine Company, then designated rifleman, was at that time defending his ground
and nursing his wounded teammate and friend, Private First Class Buaya. He
sensed the futility of evacuating the latter without being hit by enemy fire. Despite orders of his superiors,
he decided to stay behind to take care of other critically wounded comrades and
cover the withdrawal of the rest of the troops. His gallant defense through
ferocious fighting attracted heavy volume of enemy fire to concentrate on him,
thus relieving the pressure on the withdrawing elements from incurring further
casualty. When recovery teams were sent out after the savage battle, they found
30 or more dead outlaws in the periphery of the dead body of Private First
Class Acero whose left arm was cradling the neck of Private First Class Buaya.
This display of gallantry and heroism at the sacrifice of his beyond and above
the call of duty distinguished Private First Class Acero as among the finest in
the military service.
AWARD OF THE MEDAL FOR VALOR
MGEN PAULINO T SANTOS O-1404
PHILIPPINE CONSTABULARY
“For exceptional conduct and conspicuous courage displayed at
Bayang Cotta, Lanao del Sur, on 26 July 1917”.
MGEN PAULINO T SANTOS O-1404
PHILIPPINE CONSTABULARY
“For exceptional conduct and conspicuous courage displayed at
Bayang Cotta, Lanao del Sur, on 26 July 1917”.
Then a Philippine Constabulary Second Lieutenant, Paulino Santos was
tasked to participate in the Bayang Cotta Campaign in which three companies of
Philippine Scouts were also involved to neutralize bands of Moro outlaws. Among
them was the group of Ampuan-Agos, the most famous of all Lanao outlaw chiefs.
The fully armed bands numbering about 500, were entrenched in a
well-constructed and fortified cotta surrounded with barbed wire and bamboo
spikes. Lieutenant Santos led Government troops in assaulting the outlaws’
position. With the use of scaling ladders, they stormed the cotta and killed 30
outlaws.
In this gallant act, one PC soldier was killed while five others were wounded. Lieutenant Santos sustained a near-fatal gunshot at the back of the head.
In this gallant act, one PC soldier was killed while five others were wounded. Lieutenant Santos sustained a near-fatal gunshot at the back of the head.
AWARD OF THE MEDAL FOR VALOR
Major Emigdio C Cruz (0520467) Philippine Army, in active service in the Army of the United States. For exceptional heroism beyond the call of duty in action on a secret mission from Washington to Australia and to the Philippines, from May 3, 1943 to February 28, 1944, the Medal for Valor is awarded to Major Emigdio C. Cruz, Philippine Army, in the active service of the Army of the United States. Major Cruz volunteered for the hazardous mission of entering the Philippines and obtaining information there of the great importance to the Government of the Commonwealth and the Southwest Pacific Command. His capture by the enemy would have meant torture and certain death. He landed in Negros, traveled by various means and under various guises to Manila and returned to Australia and thence to Washington, with his mission fully and satisfactorily accomplished. In accomplishing this dangerous mission, Major Cruz showed daring resourcefulness and long sustained courage.
Major Emigdio C Cruz (0520467) Philippine Army, in active service in the Army of the United States. For exceptional heroism beyond the call of duty in action on a secret mission from Washington to Australia and to the Philippines, from May 3, 1943 to February 28, 1944, the Medal for Valor is awarded to Major Emigdio C. Cruz, Philippine Army, in the active service of the Army of the United States. Major Cruz volunteered for the hazardous mission of entering the Philippines and obtaining information there of the great importance to the Government of the Commonwealth and the Southwest Pacific Command. His capture by the enemy would have meant torture and certain death. He landed in Negros, traveled by various means and under various guises to Manila and returned to Australia and thence to Washington, with his mission fully and satisfactorily accomplished. In accomplishing this dangerous mission, Major Cruz showed daring resourcefulness and long sustained courage.
AWARD OF THE MEDAL FOR VALOR
(Posthumous)
By direction of the President, pursuant to paragraph 2a, Section I, AFPR 600-45, this Headquarters, dated 16 December 1948, the Medal for Valor is hereby posthumously awarded by the Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines, to the following-named officer:
CAPT CONRADO D YAP PA O-1914 Coast Artillery Corps AFP
(Posthumous)
By direction of the President, pursuant to paragraph 2a, Section I, AFPR 600-45, this Headquarters, dated 16 December 1948, the Medal for Valor is hereby posthumously awarded by the Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines, to the following-named officer:
CAPT CONRADO D YAP PA O-1914 Coast Artillery Corps AFP
For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life against
overwhelming enemy forces at Yultong, North Korea on 22-23 April 1951. As
Commanding Officer of the Tank Company, Tenth Battalion Combat Team, Philippine
Expeditionary Force to Korea, CAPT YAP at 2300 hours on 22 Apr 1951, was
executing a defensive action as an advance element of the frontline defense of
the United States Army when an overwhelming superior enemy forces assaulted the
PEFTOK positions as a part of the enemy’s general offensive. Upon being
informed by his most advance unit that the enemy were rushing in to overrun
their hill position and that the leader of this unit FIRST LIEUTENANT JOSE M
ARTIAGA JR O-1966 INFANTRY, was hit, Captain Yap, determined to hold their
position at all costs, reinforced the trapped unit of Lieutenant Artiaga and
fought the enemy for one hour without success. Receiving a personal report from
a member of the trapped unit who succeeded in extricating himself that the
enemy has already captured the position and that Lieutenant Artiaga and many
others were killed, captured or wounded, Captain Yap, in a desperate effort to
rescue the lost unit ordered for covering support from the other units under
his command and personally led a furious counterattack to regain the hill
position and rescue the trapped unit despite an authority that he may withdraw
which he has already received. He succeeded in recovering the body of
Lieutenant Artiaga and that of three (3) other enlisted men when not being
satisfied with this and acting above and beyond the call of duty, he proceeded
to assault an enemy emplacement about 300 yards away despite the hail of enemy
fires until he fell dead from an enemy bullet. His extraordinary heroism,
indomitable courage, calmness and decisiveness won for him and the entire Tenth
Battalion Combat Team praises by other allied nations’ soldiers with whom they
are fighting side by side in Korea, and will inevitably form a part of the
glorious traditions of our Armed Forces.
AWARD OF MEDAL FOR VALOR
By direction of the President, pursuant to paragraphs 2a, Section I, AFPR G 131-051, this Headquarters, dated 21 January 1954, the Medal for Valor is hereby awarded to:
Corporal Weene Martillana 522227 PA
By direction of the President, pursuant to paragraphs 2a, Section I, AFPR G 131-051, this Headquarters, dated 21 January 1954, the Medal for Valor is hereby awarded to:
Corporal Weene Martillana 522227 PA
For
distinguishing himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Corporal Martillana together
with Master Sergeant Camacho, Members of 1st Scout Ranger Regiment,
posed as civilians and befriended Eddie Villapando, notorious Huk Commander who
terrorized Cavite and Batangas for many years. With Master Sergeant Camacho as
leader, these enlisted men, after establishing contact with Villapando in
September 1955, skillfully and at great risk to themselves, managed to win the
confidence of Villapando and his bodyguards. On or about 2200hours, 20 December
1955, the opportunity to bring success to the project came when Villapando,
Commander Gueverra, two huk bodyguards, Master Sergeant Camacho and Corporal
Martillana were riding in a jeep. Master Sergeant Camacho, who was at the
wheel, stopped at the vicinity of Barrio Tabon, Calauan, Laguna on he pretense
that the jeep needed some oil. He got out of the vehicle to pour oil on the
engine, while corporal Martillana followed presumably to help him. At a
pre-arranged signal they immediately opened fire on the Huks and, with
concentrated fire, they were able to kill Commander Villapando, Commander
Gueverra and one Huk bodyguard. One of the Huks managed to shoot back, hitting
Master Sergeant Camacho, who died soon afterwards. The extraordinary heroism
and indomitable courage displayed by Corporal Martillana will inevitably form a
part of the glorious traditions of our Armed Forces.
AWARD OF MEDAL FOR VALOR
By direction of the President, pursuant to paragraphs 2a, Section I, AFPR G 131-051, this Headquarters, dated 21 January 1954, the Medal for Valor is hereby posthumously awarded to:
Master Sergeant Francisco M Camacho 504735
Philippine Army
By direction of the President, pursuant to paragraphs 2a, Section I, AFPR G 131-051, this Headquarters, dated 21 January 1954, the Medal for Valor is hereby posthumously awarded to:
Master Sergeant Francisco M Camacho 504735
Philippine Army
For
distinguishing himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Master Sergeant Camacho together
with Corporal Martillana, Members of 1st Scout Ranger Regiment,
posed as civilians and befriended Eddie Villapando, notorious Huk Commander who
terrorized Cavite and Batangas for many years. With Master Sergeant Camacho as
leader, these enlisted men, after establishing contact with Villapando in
September 1955, skillfully and at great risk to themselves, managed to win the
confidence of Villapando and his bodyguards. On or about 2200hours, 20 December
1955, the opportunity to bring success to the project came when Villapando,
Commander Gueverra, two huk bodyguards, Master Sergeant Camacho and Corporal
Martillana were riding in a jeep. Master Sergeant Camacho, who was at the
wheel, stopped at the vicinity of Barrio Tabon, Calauan, Laguna on he pretense
that the jeep needed some oil. He got out of the vehicle to pour oil on the
engine, while corporal Martillana followed presumably to help him. At a
pre-arranged signal they immediately opened fire on the Huks and, with
concentrated fire, they were able to kill Commander Villapando, Commander
Gueverra and one Huk bodyguard. One of the Huks managed to shoot back, hitting
Master Sergeant Camacho, who died soon afterwards. The extraordinary heroism
and indomitable courage displayed by Master Sergeant Camacho will inevitably
form a part of the glorious traditions of our Armed Forces.
AWARD OF THE MEDAL FOR VALOR
(Posthumous)
By direction of the President, pursuant to paragraph 2a, Section I, AFPR G 131-51, this Headquarters, dated 21 January 1954, the MEDAL FOR VALOR is hereby posthumously awarded to:
Staff Sergeant Miguel D Pastolero 168443 PA
(Posthumous)
By direction of the President, pursuant to paragraph 2a, Section I, AFPR G 131-51, this Headquarters, dated 21 January 1954, the MEDAL FOR VALOR is hereby posthumously awarded to:
Staff Sergeant Miguel D Pastolero 168443 PA
for outstanding courage, conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty displayed in an encounter against a numerically superior dissident force at Sitio Taroytoy, Barrio Manica, Libacao, Capiz, o or about 0730H 26 October 1951, Staff Sergeant Miguel Pastolero, after weeks of careful surveillance and employing all means of deception possible under the circumstances, succeeded in passing through dissident outpost guards and infiltrated right into an enemy Headquarters where ranking officers of the HMB organization were in conference. Staff Sergeant Pastolero and his men, unmindful of the suspicious glances of dissidents and pretending to be members of the group, mingled with them freely but began placing themselves in commanding positions to be able to deliver the greatest volume of fire, if and when occasion for it arose. The dissidents in the meanwhile were talking about the plan of reorganization and indoctrinati0on of new members to replace those who have deserted their ranks. The presence of the MIS Commando Team was finally detected and the dissidents began to fire at the members of the team, killing instantly Agent Jose Pastorate and wounding Staff Sergeant Pastolero. Recovering from the initial impact of the shot in utter disregard of his personal safety, he loaded his Browning Automatic rifle and immediately fired at the dissidents, singling them out from mass of humanity then engaged in a mortal hand to hand struggle. Staff Sergeant Pastolero was able to empty his magazine before he expired and in his dying moments accounted for eight (8) HMBs out of the twenty two (22) dissidents killed during the melee. His coolness under fire, his indomitable courage, his fortitude and his fighting spirit are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
AWARD OF MEDAL FOR VALOR
By direction of the President, pursuant to paragraph 3a, Section I, Armed Forces of the Philippines Regulations G 131-052, this Headquarters, dated 24 April 1967, as amended, the MEDAL FOR VALOR is hereby awarded to:
Sergeant Bienvenido Fajemolin 626359 Philippine Army
By direction of the President, pursuant to paragraph 3a, Section I, Armed Forces of the Philippines Regulations G 131-052, this Headquarters, dated 24 April 1967, as amended, the MEDAL FOR VALOR is hereby awarded to:
Sergeant Bienvenido Fajemolin 626359 Philippine Army
for outstanding courage, conspicuous gallantry, intrepidity and presence of mind in the face of a strong rebel attack on 180530 to 181400 October 1977 at Kawit-Kawit, Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte, while serving as a platoon sergeant of 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company. 36th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army. In the early morning of 18 October 1977, the Headquarters of Charlie Company was attacked by insurgents with an estimated strength of 500 men. Being aware, at the height of the assault, that the Company Commander and Company Officers were out on official business, and the brunt of the attack was on the company headquarters, then Private First Class Fajemolin braved sniper fires and assumed command of the whole company at the position. Although wounded, he rallied the demoralized and badly hit group defending the headquarters, reorganized the defensive positions, and evacuated the wounded and the dead to safe areas. Sensing the intention of the rebels to capture the company command post, he ordered and supervised a limited but skillfully executed maneuver, throwing the insurgents off-balanced and confused as to the actual strength of the group defending the positions. He engaged them in hit and run tactics in short-ranged firefight, with occasional attempts to assault and maneuver into rebel-held terrain. He held the attack for five hours until the insurgents disengaged and withdrew from the scene, with 16 killed and 10 garand rifles and one gauge-12 shotgun lost. He immediately consolidated his company position, attended to the wounded redistributed his dwindling ammunition supply and waited for reinforcements to arrive and relieve his group. By his display of exceptional courage and high degree of leadership, Sergeant Fajemolin kept up to the highest traditions of Filipino soldiery and earned honor and glory for himself, the Philippine Army and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
AWARD OF THE MEDAL FOR VALOR
By direction of the President, pursuant to paragraph 3a, Section I, Armed Forces of the Philippines Regulations G 131-052, dated 24 April 1967, the MEDAL FOR VALOR is hereby awarded to:
Technical Sergeant Desiderio P Suson 575127
Philippine Constabulary
By direction of the President, pursuant to paragraph 3a, Section I, Armed Forces of the Philippines Regulations G 131-052, dated 24 April 1967, the MEDAL FOR VALOR is hereby awarded to:
Technical Sergeant Desiderio P Suson 575127
Philippine Constabulary
for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty as Commander of a 14-man Philippine Constabulary Detachment during a surprise attack on his unit by some 300 Communist terrorists at Barangay, Bangon, Gamay, Northern Samar on 31 October 1980. Outnumbered by the enemy by a ratio of one to nineteen, all his men were wounded as a result of intensive firing from assorted enemy weapons and M79 rockets. Surrounded on all sides and with no way to escape, then Sergeant Suson ordered his men to make every shot count by aiming accurately, and to hold their ground at all cost. Sensing his men were momentarily paralyzed because of shock, he went leapfrogging from one foxhole to another to direct their fire. Despite the blood oozing from his wounds, he never lost composure. With indomitable courage, he crawled to his wounded comrades, encouraging them to carry on the fight to the end.
AWARD OF THE MEDAL FOR VALOR
By direction of the President, pursuant to paragraph 3a, Section I, Armed Forces of the Philippines Regulations G 131-052, this Headquarters, dated 24 April 1967, the MEDAL FOR VALOR is hereby awarded to:
Master Sergeant Isaias V Silvestre Jr 562785
Philippine Constabulary
By direction of the President, pursuant to paragraph 3a, Section I, Armed Forces of the Philippines Regulations G 131-052, this Headquarters, dated 24 April 1967, the MEDAL FOR VALOR is hereby awarded to:
Master Sergeant Isaias V Silvestre Jr 562785
Philippine Constabulary
for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty during an attack by about 170 heavily armed subversive terrorists at the Calapagan Patrol Base of the 433rd Philippine Constabulary Company Stationed at the Calampang, Lupon, Davao Oriental on 14 May 1985. It was near daybreak when heavily armed subversive terrorists, some carrying mortars and M-79 grenade launchers, stealthily surrounded the patrol base and upon reaching vantage positions simultaneously fired their weapons at the surprised troopers killing two sentinels on post during the initial burst of gunfire. Undaunted by the numerical and firepower superiority of the enemy, Master Sergeant Silvestre immediately deployed his handful of men, directing them to defend the base at all costs and ordering his radio operator to inform the Company Headquarters about the situation. As mortal shells and M-79 missiles rained on the base, accompanied by uninterrupted firing of the terrorists, 12 members of the base including Master Sergeant Silvestre were wounded. Disregarding multiple shrapnel wounds I his back and bullets blazing from all directions, he courageously crawled from foxhole ton foxhole, firing his M-16 rifle towards the enemy and shouting encouraging words to his men, urging them to fight decisively the terrorists who were gradually advancing and threatening to overrun the base. Although outnumbered 8 to 1, the beleaguered troops fought with intense ferocity, while their leader, with his exceptional marksmanship, fatally shot one by one the other terrorists as they crawled towards the patrol base. Although wounded, he accounted for six terrorists including Commander Mortar, the leader of the terrorists whom he shot in the forehead at the time when the subversive terrorist leader was calling on the troopers through a megaphone to surrender. Again he fell another terrorist who attempted to use the megaphone. With their leader dead, the enemy became demoralized. Fighting continued for another hour until the enemy finally withdrew through the nearby forested area, dragging some of their killed and wounded comrades. When the smoke of battle cleared, 21dead terrorists, two M-79s, two BARs, six M-16 rifles, ten U.S. Garand rifles, one megaphone, assorted empty magazines and subversive documents were recovered around the base perimeter. Thirty five other terrorists were confirmed later to have died during the fierce encounter. By this display of extraordinary gallantry, Master Sergeant Silvestre Jr contributed immeasurably towards the continued success of the campaign against subversive terrorism in the country, thereby distinguishing himself in the field of combat in keeping with the best traditions of Filipino soldiery.
AWARD OF THE MEDAL FOR VALOR
By direction of the President, pursuant to paragraph 1-6a, Section II, Chapter I, Armed Forces of the Philippines regulations G 131-053, this, Headquarters, dated 1 July 1986, the MEDAL FOR VALOR is hereby awarded to:
FIRST LIEUTENANT HILARIO A ESTRELLA O-8007
PHILIPPINE ARMY
By direction of the President, pursuant to paragraph 1-6a, Section II, Chapter I, Armed Forces of the Philippines regulations G 131-053, this, Headquarters, dated 1 July 1986, the MEDAL FOR VALOR is hereby awarded to:
FIRST LIEUTENANT HILARIO A ESTRELLA O-8007
PHILIPPINE ARMY
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity beyond the call of duty during a pre-dawn raid by about 200 heavily armed terrorists on Bubuan Detachment at the vicinity of Barangay Bubuan, Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur, on 1 December 1984, while serving as Detachment Commander of “C” Company, 33rd Infantry Battalion, 1st Infantry (TABAK) Division PA. The enemy launched a surprise attack by unleashing heavy volume of fires from high powered guns and grenade launchers into the two separate positions of the troopers. Immediately all the elements of the 32-man detachment took positions and engaged the raiders in a fierce gun battle. First Lieutenant Estrella, after assessing the situation, instructed his men to conserve ammunition and ordered them to hold their grounds at all costs. Amidst hail of bullets and explosions of grenades battering their positions, he moved from one place to another, with blood oozing from his wounds, shouting orders and encouraging his men to carry on the fight. When their M60 machine gun malfunctioned, he put it into operation, manned it himself and engaged the enemy. Having ten of his men already killed and several others wounded, he stood his ground. The attackers subjected the troopers to all kinds of offensive tactics and taunted them to surrender. Unfazed, First Lieutenant Estrella rallied his men and the fierce fire-fight lasted seven hours until the terrorists withdrew. At the scene of the encounter, they recovered 22 bodies of dead terrorists, including 3 commanders, 12 high-powered firearms, assorted ammunition and subversive documents. By this exceptional gallantry, First Lieutenant Estrella distinguished himself in combat, in keeping with the finest tradition of Filipino soldiery.
AWARD OF THE MEDAL FOR VALOR
By direction of the President, pursuant to paragraph 3a, Section I, Armed Forces of the Philippines Regulations G 131-052, this Headquarters, dated 24 April 1967, the MEDAL FOR VALOR is hereby awarded to:
Sergeant Jacinto Moreno 665546
Philippine Constabulary
By direction of the President, pursuant to paragraph 3a, Section I, Armed Forces of the Philippines Regulations G 131-052, this Headquarters, dated 24 April 1967, the MEDAL FOR VALOR is hereby awarded to:
Sergeant Jacinto Moreno 665546
Philippine Constabulary
for conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty, as
Assistant Non-Commissioned Officer-In-Charge of Maslog Patrol Base, Eastern
Samar who gallantry fought and successfully defended the patrol base with only
six military men and nine members of the Civilian Defense Forces against the
attack of an overwhelming number of superior enemy on 23 May 1985. After
confirming a report at late afternoon of 22 May that about 60 armed men were in
the public cemetery near Poblacion, the troops planned an attack at dawn. But
before they could jump off, the base was riddled by enemy fire, hitting Staff
Sergeant Fortes, the Team Leader. Though wounded, he ordered his men to hold
their positions and fight. The battle raged on and Staff Sergeant Fortes, still
weak due to loss of blood, finally passed on the leadership to Sergeant Moreno
who immediately brought Staff Sergeant Fortes in a safe area. Then, he took the
former’s M16 rifle and manned a machine gun. When it was light, they saw the
overwhelming enemy, with three M60 machine guns, aside from their assault
rifles. Unfazed, he braved the hail of bullets around him and felled the enemy
machine gunner. As the battle raged, he realized that they might run out of
ammunition before reinforcements arrived. He ordered his men to shift to
full-automatic to semi-automatic fire and cautioned them to stay calm and fire
accurately. He then maneuvered from one position to another, hitting and
felling several advancing terrorists, temporarily slowing down their attack.
The fierce battle lasted for three hours when the raiders finally withdrew.
There were 30 enemies accounted dead while 15 more were found at the scene of
encounter. By this display of exceptional courage and high degree of
leadership, Sergeant Moreno distinguished himself in the field of combat in
keeping with the highest tradition of Filipino soldiery.
AWARD OF THE MEDAL FOR VALOR
By direction of the President, pursuant to paragraph 1-6a, Section II, Chapter I, Armed Forces of the Philippines Regulations G 131-053, this Headquarters, dated 1 July 1986, the MEDAL FOR VALOR is hereby awarded to
Sergeant Francisco G Granfil 647705
Philippine Army
By direction of the President, pursuant to paragraph 1-6a, Section II, Chapter I, Armed Forces of the Philippines Regulations G 131-053, this Headquarters, dated 1 July 1986, the MEDAL FOR VALOR is hereby awarded to
Sergeant Francisco G Granfil 647705
Philippine Army
for outstanding courage, conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty, during an encounter with about 100 armed terrorists of the New People’s Army at Upper Limot, Tarragona, Davao Oriental, on 12 February 1988, while serving as a member of the Operational Team 1103, 11th Special Forces Company, Home Defense Group (Airborne) Philippine Army. When the combined patrol groups composed of a reinforced platoon of the 433rd Philippine Constabulary Company, the Operation Team 1103 and the Civilian Home Defense Forces were ambushed, Sergeant Granfil fearlessly, with determination and fierce fighting spirit, charged towards the pinned down lead elements of the government forces to provide the crucial cover and counter fires, the swiftness and effectiveness of which caught the enemy by surprise, thus inflicting upon the terrorists several casualties at this crucial stage of the combat action. By accurate and controlled fires and maneuver, he kept the stunned enemy at bay. Driven further by a deep sense of duty and the highest ideal of the profession of arms, he crawled stealthily towards the wounded at great risk to his life, and despite intense enemy fire, successfully retrieved his fallen buddies, including the already wounded Patrol Leader Lieutenant Rolito Bordeos of the Philippine Constabulary, whom he dragged out of the perilous killing zone to a relatively secured area. To prevent the enemy from getting the firearms of the wounded, he systematically recovered twelve high-powered firearms of the wounded which, with admirable presence of mind, he distributed to the Civilian Home Defense Force, since many of whom had no firearms in order to strengthen the fire power of the beleaguered government forces to seize the initiative and engaged the enemy in a well-directed and controlled fire. Under intense and continuous barrage from the enemy, Sergeant Granfil, having repaired a M60 Machinegun of Constable Second Class Reguyal, which earlier malfunctioned, boldly returned fires towards the well-emplaced and numerically superior enemy force. Despite his sensing the advance of the reinforcing rebels coming from the main body, he steadfastly stood his ground and fiercely fought with automatic fires and grenade launchers, while interchangeably operating the 60 millimeter mortar until the enemy withdrew, leaving behind 37 terrorists killed and several others wounded. This conspicuous and heroic act of Sergeant Granfil prevented the complete annihilation of the beleaguered troops, the saving of many lives and prevented the loss of government properties. By this display of exceptional courage and a high degree of leadership, Sergeant Granfil distinguished himself in the field of combat in keeping with the highest tradition of Filipino Soldiery, thereby earning honor and glory not only for himself and the Philippine Army but also for the Armed Forces of the Philippines.