The Philippine Army (PA) on Tuesday announced that 10 troops deployed as part of the Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent (PIAHC) were honored with the Meritorious Achievement Medal for assisting victims of the massive earthquake that struck Myanmar last month.
Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido led the awarding rites at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday, PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said in a news release.
Dema-ala said the awardees were 1st Lt. Alexis Nocos, 1st Lt. Joey Labiang, Staff Sgt. Ricky Ramirez, Staff Sgt. Jesus Tomas Jr., Sgt. John Rex Palaruan, Cpl. John Paul Kismundo, Cpl. Jundie Gutierez, Cpl. Ryan Paul Cabueñas, Cpl. Alihuddin Hamid, and Pfc. Elmar Encinas, all from the Army’s 525th Combat Engineer Battalion, Combat Engineer Regiment.
The 10 soldiers are members of the PA urban search and rescue team attached to the PIAHC.
“During the ceremony, Lt. Gen. Galido also awarded the CGPA’s (Commanding General Philippine Army) Personal Coins to the awardees to commemorate the team’s exceptional courage, skill, and unwavering commitment to humanitarian service,” Dema-ala said.
He said Galido also recognized the team’s outstanding achievements, reflecting their courage, discipline, and humanity under extreme conditions.
PAF honors contingent
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) also honored its members who participated in the Myanmar rescue mission.
PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said the urban search and rescue team from the 505th Search and Rescue Group received the Bronze Cross Medal for their dedicated search and rescue operations.
“For their crucial role in the safe transfer of equipment and logistical support, medical assistance, and security, the flight crew of the 220th Airlift Wing, the Aeromedical Team from the Air Force General Hospital, and the 720th Special Operations Group were awarded the Silver Wing Medal,” she added in a separate statement.
Castollo also said that PAF chief Lt. Gen.Arthur Cordura commended the contingent’s courage, professionalism, and compassion.
“Lt. Gen. Cordura highlighted their actions as an embodiment of the country’s humanitarian commitment and a guiding example for a mission-oriented, capability-driven, and values-based PAF,” she added. (PNA)
