DND-OPA - Philippine Defense Newsletter - 007 - April 2012 Issue

7/31/2019 DND-OPA - Philippine Defense Newsletter - 007 - April 2012 Issue

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E D I T O R I A L

Any simple deed could make one a hero

A great nation is made up of various in-dividuals, and from within these ranks arepeople born to become leaders, artisans,thinkers, inventors, healers, soldiers andworkers. And from this myriad of person-alities, there are a few individuals who willrise to do great fetes that the nation willadore, idolize, and truly appreciate.

In the most pivotal moments in anations history, heroes who drew bloodand gave up their lives become the iconsof a country. Heroes who sacriced and

even died in the name of freedom, sov-ereignty, independence and democracyare all elevated into the halls of courage.

But in these days of peace,anyone who makes this nation proud as aFilipino also becomes our symbols ofheroism. We nd a hero in a once underdog

pugilist who now holds multipleworld boxing titles. We also nd the

qualities of aheroin a young singer with athunderous voice. We nd another hero

in someone who returned a small amountof money to its owner, never tempted tokeep it for himself despite his own needs.

One does not entirely need to sacrice

his life to be called a hero. A teacher whodiligently educates our youth is a hero. Adoctor who treks to mountains to heal acommunity that has never seen a doctoris a hero. A laborer who toils in the middleof the desert overseas trying to earn aliving to feed his family and send hischildren to school is a hero. A soldierwho stands guard at a lonely dangerousoutpost in the middle of the sea, tasked toensure peace and security, is another hero.

Honoring and remembering the hero-

ism of our veterans who fought in the lastwar is a simple example of how we couldall become heroes. Simple as it may seembut the memory of their acts of courage

and gallantry ensures that their legacy,the meaning of the freedoms we all enjoytoday, will not be forgotten.

It is sad to see how little we regardour elderly soldiers who thoughtnothing about themselves when theenemys bayonets were at their throats the only thing that drove them is to ght,

to rid this country of its invading forces.Very few would remember nowadays

that 70 years ago, this nation trembled atthe cold winds of war across world. It was

a time of uncertainty and little was there tomount an effective defense. Very youngmen who were barely into their teensenlisted and signed up to take up armsand defend our shores, our skies, ourseas from the encroachment of invadingforces. These very young men were calledreservists,young men who had no fearin the face of a battle savaged enemy.

To become a hero, again, one does notneed to die. A true hero in its various formsis rst and above all a patriot even before

he can call himself a hero. One mustlove this country with ones whole heartand soul, proud of this nations strengths,weaknesses and imperfections. A truehero is someone who is mighty proud tobe called a Filipino.

One need not take up arms to becomea patriot. Courage to face the barrel of agun is not entirely the sole and ultimatemeasurement of a true patriot that we calla hero. To take up arms, short of engagingin jingoism, is not another measure of atrue patriot. In the face of a challenge of amighty power, all 100 million Filipinos canunite to stand up and be heard, a simple

expression of unity to signify our patrio-tism are more than enough to becomeheroes.

Learning from the Veterans

As early as December of 2011, it habeen decided to dedicate the second the expanded six editions of this yearPhilippine Defense Newsletter to thoutstanding deeds of our veterans anthe centennial of the Reserve Ofce

Training Corps (ROTC) program of thcountry.

In the 100 years since westablished a training program freservists in our Armed Forces, counless number of young men and wome

had themselves enlisted or applied the Philippine Military Academy, latemerging to distinguish themselveduring the call of duty here and even peackeeping operations in any part of the worl

Seventy years ago, this countfaced the hard realities of a brutal waPrior to the outbreak of the last worwar on December 7, 1941, there was massive mobilization from the ranks

youths back then. Some as young as 1years old were trained to defend thesislands with barely their own hands anbodies as shields and weapons. Despiorders to surrender to invading forces, number held on in the hills of Bataan un

April 9, 1942 and on May 6, 1942 for thremaining forces holed up in Corregidisland. Knowing from the very start ththe enemys might was overwhelminhundreds of thousands continued to g

knowing the consequence was deatVery few of the 76,000 men force

to march to their deaths from Bataan Capas, Tarlac remain. Of those who mraculously lived through three years incarceration up to this time are slow

moving on. In time, only memories will bleft for future generations and the livinwitnesses of those

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In the succeeding pages, our footnotes feature select quotes from H.E. President Benigno Simeon Aquino, IIIs speech during th

commemoration ofAraw ng Kagitingan(The Day of Valour) as delivered at the Shrine of Valor, Mt. Samat, Pilar, Bataan on April 9, 2012.

NOTICE

On this day, we celebrate the collective courage of our peoplethe courage of our veterans, who took arms against our enemi

to protect their birthplace; and the courage of those civilians who stood for compassion, even in the face of guns and bayonets.

times of war, each individual encounters challenges that measure their honor. Will I bow to the enemy, or face them with my hea

held high? Will I share this glass of water with a thirsty countryman despite the threat of being punished for it?

Photo by Glenn Fawcett, U.S. Department of Defence

After watching our alliance endure through the years, we deem it crucial toprepare for the security changes of today and tomorrow. Sec. Gazmin

The economic and defense relationsof the Philippines and the United Statesremain robust, relevant and reactive tomutual interests that fosters further thelong shared historical partnership over acommon regional and global development.

Following the Manila Declaration signedby both the U.S. and the Philippineson November 16, 2011 during the 60th

Anniversary of the Mutual Defense Trea-

ty of 1951, senior ministers reafrmed

mutual commitments to the general peaceand security of the Asia-Pacic region

and various economic related programs.Both sides also pledged to continue

strengthening and increasing multi lateralcooperation within forums such as the

Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN), ASEAN Regional Forum, ASEANDefence Ministers Meeting +Plus (ADMM+),

East Asia Summit (EAS), and the AsiaPacic Economic Cooperation (APEC).

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert delRosario described the 2+2 meeting as,opening an avenue for us to consider

ways of ne-tuning our relations as we

adapt to changing circumstances both

in our region and the world at large.During the April 30 meeting, both

countries stressed common interest tomaintain the freedom of navigation, un-impeded lawful commerce and the transitof people across seas and subscribe to arules-based approach through peacefuldiplomatic, multilateral and collaborative

processes within the framework of inter-national law particularly UNCLOS.

The two countries also stressed thestrengthening of bilateral and regionalcooperation on humanitarian & disasterrelief preparedness activities that willenhance combined capabilities in disasterresponse.

Secretary Gazmin cited the increas-ing and worsening impact of natural

disasters, welcoming the 2+2 meeting asa step forward to working together andconsult one another on how to improve

the capability to uphold maritime security

and institutionalize efcient humanitar-

ian assistance and disaster response

The two countries will explore modalitieto strengthen the defense capabilities of thPhilippines in order to establish a minimucredible defense posture through robucooperative security assistance program

Specic items related to expan

ing and further improving defensinterests include the turn-over of thsecond Weather High Endurance Cutt

(WHEC) to the Philippines this year, whicshall be christened as the BRP Ramo

Alcaraz, in honor of World War II hero anformer Commodore of the Philippine Nav

Support will be given to the NationCoast Watch System by working expand intelligence, surveillance anreconnaissance (ISR) activities. There wbe a continuous process to ne tune joi

training and exercises such as Balik

tan, cooperation on sharinginformatioin a timely purpose, joint anti-terrorisefforts including non-combat support the Philippines initiative.


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For our veterans, the choice was simple: This is the country I owe my life to; and the ag that symbolizes our dignity remains stea

fast against the wind. I must ght for it. As they put their bodies on the line to confront the enemies, they kept all doubt in the bac

of their minds. They did not ask: What is all this for, or Will my sacrice be of any value? They trusted their leaders to make th

right decisions; in times of war, orders are orders, and they must be followed.

heroic years will only become names etched in the walls of our war memorials.Before the opportunity is lost, we need to listen carefully to whatever

memories, acts of heroism our veterans still have. In their minds are wisdom that our

generation need to learn to ensure that the mistakes of the past will never happenagain. It is in their hearts that we too could learn to nd the courage to do what is

right, to continue building a just, fair, sovereign, democratic and free Filipino society.

* * *

Our CoverIn this edition, we gathered several interesting stories that are somehow all

connected together. We want to share these inspiring stories of people who arein the armed services, or are in one way linked to the defense of this nation.

Our cover is the recently completed Senior Ministers Meetingbetween the Philippines and United States where our very own Defense Sec.Voltaire T. Gazmin and Foreign Affairs Sec. Albert F. del Rosario met with theircounterparts, Sec. Leon E. Panetta and Sec. Hillary R. Clinton, respectively.

* * *

The Challenges We FaceAs of press time, everybody is already aware of a situation our nation

faces in the West Philippine Sea. The incident at Bajo de Masinloc is adifcult reminder to every Filipino that in these times of declining resources,

anything and everything is fair game, ripe for the picking at the price of hostilities.There are several key geographical land and sea features that are all well within

our nations territory and Exclusive Economic Zone that are under dispute. Theseterritories that are being contested by neighboring nations will require our diligenceand ability to secure and protect them as we seek a peaceful resolution that will beof multilateral benet for our nation and for the other claimant countries. Sadly, the

situation in Bajo de Masinloc is one painful reminder that if diplomacy fails to resolve thisdispute, there could be inevitable consequences that will result into a dangerous event.

Reality wise, our Armed Forces have been left out in the process to attain aminimum credible defense capability to protect what is rightfully, historically, andgeographically ours. It is not too late for our people to realize that the years ofneglect should be set aside and nally allow our men and women in the Armed

Forces do their jobs ably and realistically with the necessary tools of their trade.We can never be respected as a nation if we do not even have the basic means

to defend ourselves. The situation we face is not about an arms race, it is to give ourArmed Forces the ability to do their jobs and be treated as a force to reckon with.It does not entail an eye-for-an-eye and a tooth-for-a tooth capability but instead arealistic capability to demonstrate our resolve to protect and defend what is rightfully ours.

War or a violent confrontation is never an acceptable option. There could be noreasonable justication for war. As we leave these difcult issues on the credible

and able expertise of our diplomats, we should not leave things be and becomecomplacent to the realities we face in the defense and security of this nation. Time

has come for each and everyone, regardless of religion, ethnicity, creed or ideology tocome together and demonstrate what it takes to become a true and patriotic Filipino.

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From Page 2:

From the Editor . . .

For comments & suggestions, e-mail us [email protected]


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His Excellency PresidentBenigno S. Aquino, III led

the commemorative ceremonies

for the 70th Anniversary of the

Day of Valour (Araw ng

Kagitingan) at the Mount

Samat National Shrine.

Representatives from the

United States and Japan stood

alongside President

Aquino to pay tribute to thou-

sands of

soldiers who perished during

the siege at Bataan. Nearly76,000 combined Filipino -

American forces held on for

more than 3 months with barely

any hope, ammunition and food

rations to sustain their de-

fensive position.

Defense Secretary Voltaire

T. Gazmin, AFP Chief of Staff

General Jessie D.

Dellosa and the three major

armed services commanders were

also on hand to assist the

His Excellency President Benigno S. Aqui-no, III led the commemorative ceremonies forthe 70th Anniversary of the Day of Valour

(Araw ng Kagitingan) at the Mount Samat

National Shrine.

Representatives from the United States

and Japan stood alongside President Aquino

to pay tribute to thousands of soldiers who

perished during the siege at Bataan. Nearly

76,000 combined Filipino-American forces

held on for more than 3 months with barely

any hope, ammunition and food rations to

sustain their defensive position.

Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin, AFPChief of Staff General Jessie D. Dellosa, the

three major armed services commanders &

PNP Chief Nicanor Bartolome were also on

hand to assist the President during the honor

ceremonies.

Defense Undersecretary for Civil, Veterans

and Reserve Affairs Eduardo G. Batac and

Philippine Veterans Affairs Ofce Adminis-

trator, retired Lt. Gen. Ernesto G. Carolina led

the preparations for the week long ceremonies

of the Philippine Veterans Week under the

auspices of the Military Shrines and Service,

under the direction of Teresita S. Cuevas.Hundreds of surviving veterans, their

children and descendants of the Battle for

Bataan, the Death March and prisoners at

Capas, Tarlac trooped to Mt. Samat for the

annual commemorative ceremonies. Hun-

dreds braved the intense heat, the short walk

to the reception area to remember their fallen

brothers.

Pres. Aquino said during his speech, These

are the heroes who have etched their stakes in

history with blood. But for every hero that we

pay tribute to and remember today, there are

many thousand others who have sacriced somuch, with their names lost in the annals of

history.

The President also reiterated the nations

eternal gratitude to the veterans for the gift

of independence, Three generations after

the war, we are still trying our best to show

our gratitude by taking care of our veterans

and their families. More than seven decades

after, we still remember your sacrices, be-

cause your heroism stands the test of time,

and for that, we remain eternally indebted to

all of you.

Bataan has fallen! The Philippine-Americtroops on this war-ravaged and bloodstain

peninsula have laid down their arms. Wi

heads bloody but unbowed, they have yielde

to the superior force and numbers of t

enemy.

The world will long remember the ep

struggle that Filipino and American soldieput up in the jungle fastness and along t

rugged coast of Bataan. They have stood u

uncomplaining under the constant an

grueling re of the enemy for more than thr

months. Besieged on land and blockaded b

sea, cut off from all sources of help in th

Philippines and in America, the intrepid gh

ers have done all that human endurance cou

bear.

For what sustained them through all the

months of incessant battle was a force th

was more than merely physical. It was th

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Allow me to deliver some good news to you: As of the 31st of March of this year, our veterans will be able to receive their hea

benets in a more convenient manner: 599 hospitals in our country have been accredited by the Veterans Memorial Medical Cen

as regional or provincial extensions. We have also expanded the services that can be subsidized by the VMMC to include catara

operations, coronary angiograms, and cardiac bypasses.

force of an unconquerable faith something in the heart and soul th

physical hardship and adversity could not destroy! It was the thoug

of native land and all that it holds most dear, the thought of freedo

and dignity and pride in these most priceless of all our human prerog

tives.The adversary, in the pride of his power and triumph, will credit o

troops with nothing less than the courage and fortitude that his ow

troops have shown in battle. Our men have fought a brave and bitter

contested struggle. All the world will testify to the most superhuma

endurance with which they stood up until the last in the face of ove

whelming odds.

But the decision had to come. Men ghting under the banner

unshakable faith are made of something more than esh, but they a

not made of impervious steel. The esh must yield at last, enduran

melts away, and the end of the battle must come.

Bataan has fallen, but the spirit that made it stand a beacon to a

the liberty-loving peoples of the world cannot fall!

from Page 5:

The Fall of Bataan

Does one ever notice this group of soldiers who wear the bluand white striped uniforms that are usually seen during solemhonor ceremonies? Well, during this years commemorative ativities for the Philippine Veterans Week, from the sunrise eveat Libingan ng mga Bayani, to Mt. Samat National Shrine fAraw ng Kagitinganto the Capas, Tarlac sunset ceremontheres one battalion in the Army that made its presence noticable with their gala uniform called the rayadillo,and this is thSecurity and Escort Battalion.

The Security and Escort Battalion of the Philippine Army not just any other battalion. They are mandated under the Armymission to primarily provide security and other missions thrender military honors. They are composed of soldiers whunderwent the whole required phase of rigid training b

PA-SEB: Honor Guards

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And because of the Direct Remittance Pension Servicing System that we are implementing, our veterans will be able to rece

their pension in a faster and more efcient manner. The list of our countrymen who receive pensions has also been purged of fa

claimants, so that these funds arrive only where they are meant to go.

Several days before the famous Death March, Lt. Aristeo T. Feraren destroyed bridges Bataan, being in the Corps of Engineers. This was done to prevent the Japanese forces fro

entering principal towns in the area. Shortly after, he was captured and joined the Death Marc

that led to his incarceration in Capas for a number of months. He credits his physical and em

tional strength in enabling him to endure those difcult months in Tarlac.After recovering from his Capas experience, he was employed as a civilian in a transpo

company in Laguna and Quezon, until his next uneventful encounter with the enemies in la

1944.

Sometime in 1944, one of the Philippine Army ofcer operatives was captured while workin

underground for the resistance movement. Among the articles the Japanese captors fou

was a small notebook with names and information of various contacts. Among those nam

was Lt. Aristeo T. Feraren. Since the Philippine Armys operations were disbanded under t

Japanese occupation, this was considered a crime against the ruling occupation. The Japane

operatives went and searched for then, Lt. Feraren. The Japanese intelligence operatives end

up locating and taking into custody Lt. Ferarens brother, Eduardo Feraren. Having heard t

news, Lt. Feraren realized his brothers fate. Lt. Feraren turned himself in as an exchange release his brother who was being held captive in a pho

studio in Manila.Lt. Feraren was imprisoned in Fort Santiago for 5

days along with hundreds of other fellow Filipinos an

Americans. Their prison cell was packed and h

inhumane conditions. The captured had to sit back to ba

and only had a 50 gallon drum of water to share among

themselves. The water was used to drink and clean u

They had to endure 57 days of hell. Lt. Feraren summon

every ounce of strength left in him and together with oth

survivors dug up an opening on the side of the prison whe

they were held captive. Lt. Feraren was able to esca

into the Pasig river and swim to shore and ee his captor

After two (2) solid months of physic

maltreatment & mental agony, Col. Feraren became sick anemaciated and incurred several wounds and contusions a

over the body; but driven by an indomitable will to survi

and be of service to his compatriots, he skillfully engineer

escape with six other guerilla prisoners via a drain of

closely guarded wall that surrounded Fort Santiago alonPasig River. Thus, by displaying extraordinary gallantry, stamina, cleverness, determinatio

and leadership in the face of overwhelming odds, Col. Feraren immensely helped in sustaini

the morale of his fellow prisoners and even led six (6) guerrilla members escape to freedom

The succeeding years saw Aristeo ourish in his military career. On major e

combat assignments, he had been rated by superiors as Exceptionally Outstanding

After all these years, he believes that his highest achievement was his participation in th

mopping-up operations against the Huks (1950-1957), where he was the rst Battalio

Commander of the 24th BCT. The operation contributed immensely to the early restoration

peace and order in the troubled areas of Southern Luzon. The experience made him learn actucombat and the rudiments of what eventually came to be known as unconventional warfare

Aristeo had a most colorful military career, a vast experience in leadership an

management doctrine covering battleeld and combat operations during World II and in th

campaign against the Huks and other dissidents, military research and development toward

Self-Reliance Defense Posture Program of the AFP, assignments with service schools an

educational centers, and a tour of duty with the Philippine Embassy in London as Militar

Attach with accreditation to the Philippine legions in the Scandinavian countries (1959-1962

Brig. Gen. Aristeo Torcelino Feraren

The Philippine Veterans Affairs Ofce(PVAO) has the chance to gather pertinentinformation on the heroic life of BrigadierGeneral Aristeo Torcelino Feraren, AFP(Ret) through secondary sources of data.The PVAO has known BGen. Feraren, be-ing a genuine veteran as indexed in ourrecords.

This article on BGen Feraren is

focused on his role as a soldier during theSecond World War II and its aftermath. Itis in itself a historical methodology whererst-hand reminiscences of historical

events by an eyewitness are recounted.The reputation of BGen. Feraren, the lackof contradiction by other stories/sources,freedom from anarchronism, and the waythe interviewees testimonies ts into the

otherwise known facts all help determinethe credibility of this historical information.

His story as recounted is onthe right side of this column:

BGen. Feraren was born in

Ermita, Manila on 30 December 1913.He was the 2nd of six children ofRaymundo Feraren and Teodora Torcelino.

Aristeo graduated from the Philip-pine Military Academy on 26 March1938 where he was No. 1 in the Orderof Merit and awarded the PresidentialSaber with the rank of First Captain andRegimental Commander, Cadet Corps,

Army of the Philippines. He was therst PMA graduate to be assigned to the

Corps of Engineers, Philippine Army. Thegraduating batch of 1938 was the rst for

the newly named Phil. Military Academy.He married to Elena Scheerer Onrubia

and had 7 children 5 boys and 2 girls. Asa family man, he taught his children thevalue of physical culture and spiritualawareness, his guiding force to this veryday, and what he claimed was his power-ful weapon that armed him during hisincarceration.


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The blood that was once spilt on our lands has long dried; the wind has long driven away the odor of gunpowder; and the passa

of time has soothed the hurt of these memories. But we ask ourselves again: for what was this war for? Have all the sacrices be

worthwhile?

On May 6, 2012, H.E. Benigno S.Aquino, III announced during thecommemorative ceremonies of thesurrender of Corregidor during World WarII that the second Weather High Endur-ance Cutter (WHEC) to join the PhilippineFleet will be named after Navy hero, thelate Commodore Ramon A. Alcaraz.

Alacaraz or Monching to friendswas born on August 31, 1915 in Plaridel,

Bulacan, He entered the cadetship at thePhilippine Military Academy on June 15,1936 and received his commission as a3rd Lieutenant on March 15, 1940. KaMonching was one of the 79 new ofcers

from the PMA. A year and half after thePMA, he would be integrated into the US

Army Forces Far East (USAFFE) andassigned to the newly created Off ShorePatrol (OSP) of the Philippine Army.

Then Commonwealth PresidentManuel L. Quezon contracted the ac-quisition 36 units of fast motor torpedoboats of British design as part of the off

shore defense of the Philippines amidstthe growing fears over an expansionistimperial Japan. The OSP was formallyorganized on February 9, 1939 with head-quarters at the Muelle del Codo at thePort Area in Manila under the commandof 1st Lieutenant Jose V. Andrada.

The OSP, the forerunner of the Philip-

pine Navy was assigned with three units ofUS Navy motor torpedo boats orQ-Boats(Quezon-boats); Q-111 Luzon, Q-113Agusanand Q-112 Abrawhich wascaptained by Alcaraz.

Upon the outbreak of the war, ascommander of the Q-112 Abra, then boatCaptain Alcaraz shot down three Japanese

As I looked back, Christmas 1941 did not

exist for us USAFFE members

who were on the run then. The alert orders

for the Q-Boats to proceed to Lingayen

was changed December 24, 1941

to escort SS Mayon in evacuating

the seat of government led by

Pres. Manuel L. Quezon &

High Commissioner F. Sayre

from Manila to Corregidor.

Gen. MacArthur declared Manila an Open

City with USAFFE Hq & USN 16th Naval

District also transferring to Corregidor.

The Japanese forces had landed in

Lingayen Gulf and Lamon Bay three days

ago and War Plan Orange was ordered; that

all troops retreat to Bataan.

The US Asiatic Fleet abandoned us

leaving our naval defense to nine Motor

Torpedo Boats (3 P hil Q-Boats and 6 US PT

Boats). Our Q-Boats were occupied with the

transfer of seat of govt. for a week.

Christmas 1941 went unnoticed.

From the Diary of Commodre Alcaraz

dive bombers zigzagging at the straigbetween Bataan and Corregidor islan

Alcaraz and the Abra crews initiativstopped the Japanese from completintheir objectives. Gen. Douglas McArthpromoted on the spot Alcaraz on Janua1942 at Corregidor for heroism angallantry in action.

Alcaraz would later get captured by thJapanese and imprisoned at the Malolo

Bulacan Prisoner of War camp.Ka Monching was released by thJapanese on August 10, 1942 after undegoing months of intensive rejuvenatio

program.He was paroled and instructeto be re-trained at the Torres High Schoin Gagalangin, Tondo to join the Bureau Constabulary.

Graduating in September 1942 as commissioned police ofcer, Alcaraz wa

told that his rst assignment was Lana

del Norte. He faked a malaria illnesresulting to his connement at Sa

Lazaro. Ka Monching missed the boat Mindanao and was later re-assigned Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.

In the mountains of the Sierra Madrhe would clandestinely meet with guerilleaders under the command of Lt. CoManuel Enriquez. Though a middle raning ofcer of the police reporting direct

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Seventy years have passed, yet to this day, we continue to seek answers to these questions. But I can guarantee you this: we owe

to our veterans to ensure that their sacrices have not been in vain. Because we are free today, we owe it to them to attain the drea

of progress; to ensure that no Filipino is left behind; and to achieve true justice.

104th TASG: To Serve From Within the ReservesIt was a very warm Saturday morningof April when the 104th TechnicalAssistance Services Group underthe command of Lt. Col. Amador A.

Magdamit, Jr. JAGS (GSC) (R-PAF) un-dertook its regular medical mission, thistime at Alahn Wasahl, Salam MosqueCompound in Barangay Culiat in QuezonCity.

Going to depressed communities andproviding assistance to residents is partof the on-going mission of the AFPReserve Command (AFPRESCOM). Acall for community work has become astandard operating procedure for most ofthe members of the 104th TASG, some-thing that most respond to with no

hesitation.There are 200 civilians who compose

the 104th TASG, professionals and sub-professionals who work on weekdaysas lawyers, doctors, nurses, teachers,businessmen etc. and they reserve theirweekends to don their reserve uniformsand render service to fellow Filipinos.

Lt. Col. Magdamit, who is a full-timetrial lawyer and law professor is mightyproud of his men and women who do nothesitate to actively participate each time

When asked as to why a busylawyer and ROTC commandant to three(3) universities still nd time to become

active in the AFP Reserves? He says,

When you become successful inlife especially if you came from a poor

family, you will want to pay back your

country for your success. For me, this

is pay back time. My father was once

a soldier and also a former Manila

police detective, so its time to give

something back.

On that Saturday morning, the 104thTASG was expecting only some 20 orso number of reservists to participate inthe medical mission planned to assist theresidents in Brgy. Culiat but the response

was overwhelming even after much ofthe reservists realized the mission areawas well within the Muslim community.Fifty reservists reported for duty andactively took part in civic activities.

Magdamit described the compositionof his unit as multi-disciplinary, We havevalid and qualied personnel, doc-

tors and nurses and amply supported

by personnel with various technical

expertise.When asked on what makeshis men and women walk the extra mile,he says, When we look at the faces

a long day of working.

As part of the reserve force of thArmed Forces, the 104th TASG anthe various other reserve battalion

are on ready stand-by to respond assist in times of communservice and calamity situations. Th104th is primarily a medical responsunit but if there is a need, they are readto become a search and rescue un

For most of the members of th104th TASG, their hectic weekend areservists provide a personsatisfaction in seeing a job well donin providing relief to less fortunaFilipinos. In their stint in the rserves, they found a real pu

pose to serve and make a signi

a mobilization is called.

Magdamit rst joined theAir Force Reserves back in2000 and has risen throughthe ranks.

of the people we assist, ndingsatisfaction or relief after being

attended to by our doctors, it is

more than enough for us after

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The country we once considered an enemy is now a trusted friend. And the alliance we formed with the Americans who were o

comrades in war has only deepened. Today, we live peacefully, and history has taught us valuable lessons: that war and violenc

yield no fruit, that progress cannot be achieved if we do not positively engage our neighbors; and that mutual cooperation is in th

interest of all.

to high ranking ofcials of the Japanese

kempetai, Alcaraz was clandestinely form-ing his network of informants against theoccupying forces.

All throughout the occupation period,Ka Monching gave the Japanese forces afalse sense of security, gathering informa-tion and informing USAFFE Headquartersin exile up to the right time to ght came

to light in the liberation of the Philippinesin 1944.

Alcaraz would continue to serve the de-fense establishment even after the war andupon instructions of then DND SecretaryRamon F. Magsaysay, Cdre. Alcaraz wasinstructed to study the organization of theUnited States Marine Corps.

He would later use this learning ex-perience to designate PhilippineNavy personnel to form the First MarineCompany under the command of his Q-Boat Executive Ofcer, Lt. Cdr. Manuel

cant improvement in their own lives and for others.MSgt. Dexter L. Tiu, PA (R) is a businessman on week-

days and a dedicated reservist on weekends. My maintask is to keep the NCOs and ofcers well informed of

our activities and make sure to aid the ofcers queriesin some military matters that I'm familiar with. By the

humble authority blessed upon me, I believe the group

is doing quite well, active and alive.

Lt. Col. Magdamit took note that among the most activeand dependable in the reserves nowadays are the women.A large number have joined the ranks and are trail blazing intheir areas of specialization. Though the ROTC is no longermandatory, Magdamit said that the reserves may have lessin the number of warm bodies but they have more qualied

and talented ofcers who are reliable when the call to serve

is made. It is more of quality rather than of quantity.A still very young Sgt. Mary Joyce Pagadora works as a

human resource assistant on weekdays for a private com-pany and is an information ofcer during times spent as a

reservist. My passion during high school was to servein the military but I did not qualify to be admitted into

the academy (PMA) and so, I opted to join the reserves

instead where I always learn new things.When askedif she encountered doubts on her sexuality by doing whatwas traditionally a mans job, she said, I just ignore it.

Though I maybe boyish in the way I act, I know what I am and

know what I want. To be in the reserves is something I enjo

something that fullls me.

At the end of the half day medical mission, more than hundred women and children were given a proper medcal consultation, given basic medicines to ease what ails themA sense of satisfaction was left by the reservists who were abto help the residents, especially the small children, who neede

urgent medical attention.When asked what to say to college students enrolling for the r

time for their National Service Training Program (NSTP), Lt. CoMagdamit says, Very few college students want to join thROTC simply because the parents do not approve. But whe

you ask the student, they want to join because while at th

ROTC, they feel they are directly serving the country.

On matters concerning the abuses in the ROTC of the pasMagdamit said, I chose my instructors well as ROTCommandant. We make sure there are no hazing or any type

of physical contact with the students. Ive dismissed some

our personnel who did not comply with the rigors of militar

discipline.

Becoming a member of the AFP Reserves goes beyonthe usual concept of the stereo typed marching under the suor sweating during drills. Beneath the supposed harshness undergoing the standard training lies the formation of disciplinneeded to synch a large number of men and women to followcommand. In the case of the 104th TASG, the discipline habecome embedded that receiving the command is no longer aobligation, but instead, a usual thing to do.

Gomez. The company would be basedat the Marine Station at Port Area, Manilaand eventually grow, becoming the pres-ent day Philippine Marine Corps.

The Commodore last served as headof the Naval Operating Forces untilhis retirement on January 22, 1966. Al-

caraz received multiple decorations in the

course of his service in the Armed ForceAmong the awards and decorations iclude a Gold Cross, the U.S. Silver StaPhilippine and American Defense MedaWorld War II Victory medal, PhilippiIndependence medal and others.

He left for the U.S. when Martial La

was declared to continue with the ght fthe rights and benets of Filipino vetera

soldiers who fought alongside U.S. forcein World War II.

Ka Monchings last battle was thpassage of the Filipino Veterans Equity Bwhich nally became law as the America

Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 200on February 17, 2009. The act appropated a total of US$198 million authorizinthe U.S. Department of Veterans Affaito release a one-time, lump-sum paymeto eligible World War II (WWII) Philippinveterans

On June 25, 2009, Ka Monching quiepassed away at the age of 94 at his homin Orange County in California. - DeanMBCommodore Ramon Alcaraz with then

Defense Secretary Ramon Magsaysay.

From Page 8:

Ramon Alcaraz . . .

From Page 9:

within the Reserves . . .


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1

(These are the things) we remember today, but this is not what we are celebrating. We are celebrating the conviction of the Filipin

who faced the enemy with courage, honor, and love for country as their strongest weapons. We are celebrating the strength th

sprung from their heartsthe strength innate to each and every Filipino, and the strength that can guide us every day as we tre

the straight and righteous path. We are celebrating the Araw ng Kagitingan. Long live our veterans. Long live a free Philippines. Lo

live the Filipino people.

In just a span of two weeks, the Philippine soldiers gained

tremendous amount of knowledge and further improved theirapproaches this years Philippines-United States BalikatanExercises Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response(HADR)-focused Command Post Exercise (CPX) by under-taking Disaster Response and Rescue Operations (DRRO).

Midway through the table top exercises, PH and USBalikatan participants conducted the simulation of a post-earth-quake response at the Command General Staff College, at Camp

Aguinaldo. Resource persons and subject-matter experts from ASEANpartners from Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia and South Koreaparticipated in the CPX to test the coordination andcommunications interoperability during different simulated disasterscenarios. Their participation was very signicant in further

gaining knowledge and other perspective on disaster response.

Captain Yuzo Shibata of Japan Self Defense Force shared thegeneral immediate response of their military during natural disasters.In my country, when disaster strikes, the local governors in

their respective prefectures issue the JSDF aid request to

local military unit. Upon receiving the request, the unit will either

conduct Disaster Response Operationsor pass the word to other

units, other branches, depending on the scale of the disaster. In

case the communication tools are all down and the situations

are obviously critical, the commanders of the local units are ex-

pected to conduct Disaster Response Operations by their

own judgment,Shibata said.Foreseeing future challenges, Capt Shibata nally recommended

for the review of the Disaster Relief Operations Plan, and Crisis Man-

agement Postures by cooperating with relevant organizations.AFP Chief of Staff General Jessie D Dellosa said that the SLS

in the Balikatan 2012 strengthened and enhanced internal PhilippineHADR processes through collaborative dialogue. The different ap-

proaches employed by other countries in HADR surely helped

us widen our perspective and improve our policies, procedures,

preparations, and responses in the emergence of natural calami-

ties and man-made disasters in the Philippines, Gen Dellosasaid.

they have one special task to serve as our bridge ansymbol to the continuation of the rich Philippine military traditio

First organized on May 1, 1970, the PA-SEB traces i

roots from the Army Training Battalion (Provisional) or ATA year later, the ATB (Provisional) was renamed as the ArmTraining Unit (Provisional) or ATU. By the 1st of December 1971, the ATU was deactivated. Its personnel, together withe personnel of another rie company, were fused into on

unit known as the Security Escort and Training Unit (SETUSETU later became the Security and Escort Battalio

under the Headquarters and Headquarters Support Grou(HHSG), PA on 19 October 1972. Subsequently after few years, the unit was upgraded to Security Escort Un(Provisional) effective on 16 February 1980. On 1December 1986, Security and Escort Unit was seregated from HHSG and renamed 62nd InfantBattalion (Provisional) under the direct control of G3, PA

The Philippine Army needed a unit well-versed military drills and ceremonies, thus, on 24 April 1987; thHonor Guard Company was created and placed undHHSG, PA to replace SEU. After a year, on 16 April 198the Honor Guard Company was renamed Honor GuaBattalion. Then on 10 May 1990, the Honor Guard Batalion was separated from HHSG, PA and was organizeas a major service support unit of the Philippine Arm

Subsequently on 27 June 1990, the Honor GuaBattalion was named Security and Escort Group, later renameas the 291st Security and Escort Group on 19 June 199On 12 September 2000, it was renamed Security and EscoBattalion and was placed organic to HHSG up to this dat

The PA-SEB has the following specic missions: (conduct security and other operations and render milita

honors in support to Philippine Army mission, (2) provid

military honors; (3) secure the Commanding General of th

Philippine Army (CGPA) at all times and other importa

personages as directed; (3) conduct limited milita

From Page 8:

PA-SEB: Honor Guards . . .

operations and other special tasks; (4)

conduct Crowd Dispersal Manage-

ment (CDM) operations when nec-

essary; (5) participate in disaster

response operations;(6)conduct combat

operations in conjunction with heavy

forces; (7)provide base of re and ma-

neuver elements; and provide artillery

re support to other maneuver units.

The next issue will come out

July 2012.


12/12

Documents

DND-OPA - Philippine Defense Newsletter - 007 - April 2012 Issue