Sunday 10 November 2013

PIA News Dispatch - Monday, November 4, 2013

President Aquino honors soldiers who fought in Zamboanga City siege

For their unparalleled sacrifice in coming to the defense of Zamboanga City from armed Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels, President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday conferred awards to the officers and enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in a ceremony held at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Sixteen out of more than 2,000 soldiers who successfully accomplished their mission in the 18-day Zamboanga crisis last September personally received the honor from the Commander-in-Chief shortly after a flag-raising event.

Lieutenant Colonel Oriel Pangcog (Battalion Commander of Joint Special Operations Task Group Arrow) and Captain Reynir Nirza (AFP Joint Operations Group) were the two recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Star award for their acts of courage in the face of the enemy.

The Distinguished Service Star award was given to Lieutenant General Rey Ardo (Western Mindanao Command), Brigadier General Rodelio Santos (Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations), and Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala (Chief, AFP Public Affairs Office) for their valuable service during the crisis.

The Gold Cross medal, meanwhile, was posthumously awarded to Army First Lieutenant Francis Damian who died after sustaining gunshot wounds inflicted by members of the MNLF Misuari faction during an encounter. His wife, Lieutenant junior grade Army Leslie Damian, received the honor on his behalf.

Other recipients of this award include Army First Lieutenant Jerson Jurilla, Marine First Lieutenant Dexter Carin, and Navy Lieutenant junior grade Joey Cayao, along with enlisted personnel Army Sergeant Larry Lopez, Navy F1MR Abelardo Angelo, Air Force Sergeant Salvador Codon, Jr. and Army Staff Sergeant Allan Adap.

Corporal Eduardo Saquing, Jr., who died in the height of the crisis, was also given the Gold Cross medal posthumously and received by his father, Mr. Eduardo Saquing, Sr.

Major Caezar Almer Candelaria was awarded the Bronze Cross medal for his acts of heroism involving risks of life as team leader of the Medical Team, Special Operations Task Group.

Air Force Major Renie Aureo and Army Captain Dranreb Lansang were given the Military Merit medal with Bronze Spearhead Device, while Marine Private First Class Eduardo Jose received the Wounded Personnel medal.

In his speech, President Aquino conveyed his deepest gratitude to every soldier and policeman who fought courageously to protect the welfare of the citizens in Zamboanga.

“Habambuhay pong babantayog ang inyong dedikasyon at propesyonalismo sa kasaysayan. Magsisilbi kayong huwaran ‘di lamang ng kasalukuyang henerasyon kundi maging ng susunod na salinlahi,” he said.

Monday’s awarding ceremony at the AFP headquarters was just one among the many tributes set for the 2,473 soldiers who participated in resolving the said crisis either in administrative or combat capacity. PND (hdc)


President Aquino commends Defense Secretary Gazmin, AFP for their dedicated services to the country

President Benigno S. Aquino III extolled National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin along with the 220,000-strong Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for their dedicated services to the country at a public ceremony held Monday in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

The Chief Executive and Commander-in-Chief particularly cited the efforts rendered by Gazmin in leading the government’s military operations to thwart the forces of the armed Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels during the Zamboanga City crisis last September.

“Nang pumutok ang kaguluhan sa Zamboanga City, kayo pong mga sundalo’t pulis ang inaasahang unang rumesponde para sa ating mga kababayan. At heto nga po ang ating DND (Department of National Defense) kasama ang AFP, DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) at PNP (Philippine National Police), dali-daling nag-report po sa akin si Secretary Volts.

Hindi po siya nag-atubiling akuin ang tungkulin na pumronta sa ating hanay. Kayo nga po ang tanungin ko: Sinong hindi matutuwa sa tulad niyang walang pinipiling panahon sa paglilingkod?” President Aquino said in a speech.

The President added he was very confident with the combined expertise and talents of Gazmin and AFP Chief of Staff Emmanuel Bautista that they would effectively spoil the evil plans of the rebel group.

“Alam kong nasa mabuting kamay ang mga operasyon at istratehiya natin dahil walang takot at laging in-control itong si Secretary Volts,” he said.

The President also valued greatly the contributions of every single man and woman of the AFP during the Zamboanga City crisis, adding that the government’s strategy in combating the MNLF forces would have not worked had they not stood in the line of fire.

“Sa bawat ulat nga pong natatanggap ko mula sa inyo nung mga araw na iyon, di ko maiwasang isipin: Kamusta na kaya ang tayo ng ating mga kawal? Tinugunan po ninyo ito ng ipinamalas ninyong tatag at husay para isakatuparan ang ating istratehiya. Matagumpay ninyong nilimitahan ang mga lugar na hawak ng rebelde, at ‘di na hinayaang makapasok ang iba pang nagbabantang pangkat,” he stressed.

The President mentioned that even as Zamboanga City is now free from the reins of the rebellious forces, the government will continue sending assistance to its people as part of the ongoing rehabilitation of the city.

“Walang patid ang paghahatid natin ng pagkain, tubig, at serbisyong medikal sa mga apektadong komunidad. Katuwang ang ating mga sundalo’t pulis, ibabangon natin ang Lungsod ng Zamboanga mula sa nagdaang trahedya, at magkakasama nating itataguyod ang kapayapaan sa kalakhang bansa,” he said.

Given the many difficult challenges conquered by the AFP in the past, the President said his complete trust and confidence on the organization remains.

“Tiwala akong sa mga darating pang hamon, iisa pa rin ang magiging kumpas ng sambayanang Pilipino: Pilit mang idiskaril ng iilan ang pag-usad natin sa tuwid na daan, isang bansa pa rin tayong tatahak sa landas ng katuwiran, katotohanan, at katarungan.

At siguro po sa nalalapit na AFP Day inaasahan ko na lalo pang mare-recognize ang mga taong talaga naman pong masasabi nating dakilang bayani ng sambayanan. Asahan po niyo na kung yun man lang ang magagawang pasasalamat ng talaga namang nag-uumapaw na pagtanggap sa inyong kadakilaan—gagawin po ng estado,” the President said. PND (hdc)


President Aquino welcomes officials of Marubeni Corporation who committed to enhance business operations in the country

President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed officials of a Japanese trading company who reiterated their commitment to enhance its business operations in the country during a ceremony in Malacanang on Monday.

Marubeni Corporation Chairman of the Board Teruo Asada and his team paid a courtesy call on the Chief Executive in a simple ceremony at the Malacanang Palace's Music Room.

Joining Asada were Fumiya Kokubu, President and Chief Executive Officer; Mamoru Sekiyama, Vice Chairman; Shigeru Yamazoe, Senior Managing Executive Officer; Michihiko Ota, Senior Executive Vice President and Regional CEO for ASEAN, Southwest Asia and East Asia and Managing Director of the Marubeni ASEAN Pte. Ltd. and Takashi Ishigami, President and CEO Marubeni Philippines Corporation.

Also in attendance were Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo and Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla.

During the meeting, Asada expressed gratitude to President Aquino for personally meeting him and his officials.

Marubeni Corporation started overseas activities in Manila, Philippines in 1909 as trader of textile and abaca. Branches in Cebu and Iloilo in the 1920's and Davao in the 1930's were opened to begin the network in the country.

In 1967, Daido Boeki and Daiken Sangyo (now known as Marubeni Philippines Corp.) was granted a branch status by the Philippines' Security and Exchange Commission (SEC). And in 1996, Marubeni Philippines Corporation was incorporated under Philippine laws.


Today, Marubeni Philippines Corporation remains one of the oldest and the most important among Marubeni's network of companies worldwide. PND (js)