Commander who dismantled NPA fronts leads Army awardees

MANILA, Philippines - Brig. Gen. Jorge Segovia received the Distinguished Service Star yesterday for leading his men in dismantling two New People’s Army fronts in Laguna and downsizing three more in Batangas in 2007 and 2008.

The former commander of the Army’s 202nd Infantry Brigade led awardees during the Army’s 112th anniversary in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig yesterday.

Segovia is now assigned to the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Command Center.

The Distinguished Service Star was also awarded to Lt. Col. Lope Dagoy, former commander of the Army’s 19th Infantry Battalion in the Visayas, and Maj. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu, Army chief of staff.

The Gold Cross Medal was pinned on 1Lt. Albert Ortiz for gallantry in action.

He led the Scout Rangers against the Abu Sayyaf and rogue Moro National Liberation Front bands in Indanan, Sulu in February 2007.

Nineteen terrorists and 10 others were wounded in that encounter.

The Gold Cross Medal was also awarded to 1Lt. Roberto Bulosan who led his men in a shootout with NPA rebels in Salcedo town in Ilocos Sur. Three rebels were killed in the encounter and the soldiers recovered several high-powered firearms.

First Lt. Roberto Bulosan also received the Gold Cross for leading his men in killing 15 NPA rebels during an encounter in Claver, Surigao del Norte on June 29.

The Gold Cross was also pinned on Sgt. Antipas Balolo, who led his platoon in a clash that killed two NPA rebels in Sta. Cruz, Davao City.

Lt. Col. Noel Detoito, of the 542nd construction battalion, received the Gawad sa Kaunlaran for spearheading the construction of houses as part of the Kalinga sa Kawal project at Camp Minuyan in Murcia town in Negros Occidental.

He also headed the construction of soldiers’ quarters at the Benito Ebuen Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City.

The Bronze Cross for heroism was awarded to Maj. Apollo Jun Lamaton, who was responsible for the capture of NPA leaders in Central Luzon.

S/Sgt. Oscar Beltran was also awarded the Bronze Cross for heroism for having rescued 17 people in Panay Island at the height of typhoon “Frank” last year.

The Kagitingan sa Barangay (Maginoo) was given to militiaman Bernardo Aniel who figured in an encounter with heavily armed NPA rebels in Irosin, Sorsogon in September 2006, during which a rebel was killed.

The command plaque was awarded to S/Sgt. Allan Rafer for being the “Best Enlisted Personnel of the Year;” active auxiliary Reinier Maquinta for being the “Outstanding Civilian Active Auxiliary of the Year;” Capt. Roy Castronuevo for being the “Reservist Officer of the Year;” M/Sgt. Jovencio Batalla for being adjudged as the “Reservist Enlisted Personnel of the Year.”

April Mark Ventura of the Mariano Marcos State University and Leonelyn Latina were awarded the Best ROTC cadets of the year.

Army chief accountant Editha Santos was awarded the Model Civilian Supervisor of the Year.

Santos received the award because the Army believes she is not part of the alleged irregularities in the bidding process on the purchase of combat boots and uniforms, according to Army spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner.

Marilyn Payumo, a psychologist, was awarded as Model Civilian Employee of the Year.

Lito Cuyag received the “Best Boni Aide” of the year, while Ignacio Laroya was given the “Best Grave Digger” award.

Silverio Felipe, a mechanic, received the Best Skilled Worker award, while Pakigdait Inc. and Balay Mindanao Foundation were awarded Best Non-Government Organizations.

The provincial social welfare and development office of Cagayan province was adjudged the Outstanding Local Government Authority for supporting the Army’s various civil military operations.

The Army also awarded plaques to Porac, Pampanga Mayor Rogelio Santos, Tarlac Rep. Jeci Lapus; Capas, Tarlac Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan and Kiwanis International for supporting the Army’s projects.