Gov. Garcia hits Iglesia Ni Cristo

A Marine who risked his life to help a wounded buddy at the height of fighting in Sulu will be awarded the Gold Cross Medal during the Philippine Navy’s 109th anniversary celebration at its headquarters in Manila today.

On Dec. 12, 2005, Corporal Melvin Pico ran to give first aid to a wounded Marine despite heavy gunfire from the Abu Sayyaf and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Barangay Tanum in Patikul, Sulu.

“When a Marine was hit, he crept forward in spite of the massive volume of fire from the enemy and attended to the wounded Marine,” read the citation on the medal.

“He then applied first aid and evacuated him to safer ground, passing through heavy volume of fire. When the enemy increased its number from the South, Pico together with his comrades established a hasty defense.

“Pico immediately rushed to the location where his wounded comrades were, and with the help of other Marines, he evacuated the wounded and applied medical treatment on the six members of the Special Operations Platoon and six members of the 29th Marine Company.”

After the four-hour shootout, the Marines had killed four Abu Sayyaf terrorists and wounded eight others.

Thereafter, the Marines were able to clear and occupy the terrorist camp.

Pico is one of the awardees in today’s Navy anniversary celebrations.

Commodore Roberto Estioko will be awarded the Distinguished Navy Cross for distinguished and extraordinary achievements rendered during the conduct of rescue, relief and evacuation operations in Barangay Guinsaugon, St. Bernard, Southern Leyte, and in Barangays Caligangan, Estela Catis, Malanga and Panday, Liloan also in Southern Leyte in February last year.

“Imbued with managerial expertise and high sense of professionalism, Commodore Estioko, then a captain, instantaneously and effectively planned and executed the deployment of naval assets, as well as the medical and Philippine Navy assistance and rescue team, in the calamity-stricken areas of Southern Leyte, which greatly contributed to the successful conduct of the rescue, relief and evacuation operations,” read the citation.

The citation said as the Commander of Naval Forces Central, Estioko immediately directed the activation of the Disaster Response Task Unit 90.5.3 (DRTU 90.5.3), and subsequently, the activation of Naval Task Group 51.4 (NTG 51.4) comprising of three naval ships, one Diesel Fast Craft, one medical team and a navy assistance and rescue team.

“He himself set foot on the landslide area, personally ensuring the welfare of his men and the rescued victims, braved the unfavorable weather conditions on board naval ships which were traversing the rough seas just to deliver the much-needed services to the affected areas. Further, he worked hand in hand with the local government officials and other non-governmental agencies and rescue units, both local and foreign, in expeditiously addressing the crisis affecting the areas of Southern Leyte,” read the citation. – James Mananghaya