The 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army received recently an award of Command Plaque of Merit in recognition of its search and rescue, and relief operations during the tropical storm Sendong and the powerful earthquake that hit Negros Oriental.
The Commanding General, Philippine Army Lt. General Emmanuel Bautista of AFP, presented the plaque of merit to brigade commander, Col. Francisco Patrimonio during the 115th Founding Anniversary program held at Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila.
According to Information Officer Capt. Anacito Naz of the Philippine Army, the brigade fully utilized their military personnel and equipment including the 79th and 11th Infantry Battalions, 703rd Community Defense Center, 32nd Division Reconnaissance Company, and the brigade’s operationally controlled units with the support of Tactical Operations Group-6 of the Philippine Air Force during the disaster relief and rescue operations.
The same awards were also received by Privates Marlon Vera and Danny Faigane, both members of the Philippine Army’s 32nd Division Reconnaissance Company, who were deployed in the landslide area in Barangay Solonggon, La Libertad to conduct rescue operation.
They were awarded for their moral courage and rare display of honesty in returning the P90,000 cash owned by Virginia Callora found in the retrieval site, said Capt. Naz.
The awarding highlights the 115th Philippine Army anniversary celebration which also awarded the outstanding military officers and enlisted personnel, reservists, ROTC Cadets, CAFGU and civilian employees.
Naz said National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin delivered his message as guest of honor during the event.
Among the invited guests in the celebration were the previous Army commanders, Philippine Air Force and Navy commanders, area commanders, major Army units and Brigade commanders, Foreign Armies Defense Attaches, Defense USec Escueta, PVAO USec Carolina, and other prominent personalities. (PIA)
