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Armed Forces of the Philippines Medal of Valor

The Medal of Valor (Filipino: Medalya ng Kagitingan) is the Armed Forces of the Philippines' highest military honor awarded for a conspicuous deed of personal bravery or self-sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty that distinguishes the recipient from his comrades.[2] It is defined in the Philippine Army Awards and Decorations reference material FC 1–0062, itself adapted from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Awards and Decorations Handbook, Second Edition published in 1997, as an award for "heroism in combat" and is foremost in the order of precedence of awards and decorations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.[1]

The medal is awarded by the President of the Philippines to members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and allied military personnel, including recognized guerrilla forces.[3][4] The Medal of Valor is held in such high regard that the President is required to salute the medal and the individual wearing it.[5]

Under Philippine Republic Act No. 9049,[6] a Medal of Valor awardee is entitled to lifetime monthly gratuity of ₱20,000 that is separate and distinct from any salary or pension the awardee is receiving or will receive from the government.[7] The amount of this monthly gratuity was increased to ₱75,000 in 2016 by President Rodrigo Duterte.[2][8]

Appearance

The medal is described as a disc adorned with a golden sea-lion in relief holding the eight-rayed Philippine sun, and water waves composed of five blue ripples. The disk rests on a red cross with golden borders and crossed golden swords. The top-most flange of the cross contains three golden stars in a triangular pattern. A golden bar embossed with the phrase "For Valor" connects the medal to a sampaguita wreath consisting of ten white buds and twenty-two green leaves. The wreath serves as a link to the neck ribbon, which is crimson with eight golden stars arranged horizontally forming two parallel lines. The service ribbon, worn in lieu of the medal itself, is similarly crimson with eight golden stars arranged horizontally forming two parallel lines, five stars on the top line and three on the bottom.[1]

The phrase For Valor embossed on the bar has led some sources to call the medal the "Medal For Valor", and the Philippine Army itself refers to it this way.[9] However, other official Philippine government sources refer to it as the "Medal of Valor".[10]

Symbolism

The sea-lion represents the Office of the President of the Philippines. The eight-rayed sun represents the eight Philippine provinces that revolted against Spain. The blue ripples represent the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The crossed swords represent conflict with the enemy in defense of the nation; the three stars represent Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, the three island groups of the Philippines, while the sampaguita wreath symbolizes the highest honor for courage and gallantry. The red coloration signifies bravery.[1]

Recipient's privileges

The Medal For Valor recipient, his widow, or her dependents are privileged to receive preferential treatment when applying for government work, public housing, loans not exceeding ₱500,000, and lease or acquisition of public land.

In addition, they are exempt from tuition fees in public and private schools and other institutions of learning. Children of the recipient who wish to attend the Philippine Military Academy, if qualified, receive priority for commission into the Armed Forces of the Philippines upon graduation. They also receive free medication from both public and private hospitals.

Other privileges include a 20% discount on hotel bills, transportation services, restaurants, theaters, carnivals, and when purchasing pharmaceutical drugs. Government entities or private companies who deny the recipient these privileges are penalized with up to six years imprisonment and a fine not exceeding ₱300,000.

List of recipients

There have been 41 Medal of Valor recipients since 1935. Of these recipients, 17 are living. As of 2017, five of them were in active service: Cirilito Sobejana, Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, Noel Buan, Herbert Dilag and Custodio Parcon.[11] Buan retired from active service in 2018.[12]

The portraits of Medal of Valor recipients are displayed in the Hall of Heroes at Camp Aguinaldo, headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Quezon City.[13] The Hall of Valor at the Philippine Military Academy also showcases the portraits of PMA Medal of Valor recipients.[14]

Philippine Army

Philippine Navy and Marine Corps

Philippine Army Air Corps and Air Force

Philippine Constabulary[1]

United States Army

Discrepancies in the record

The official number of Philippine Medal of Valor recipients is currently given as forty-one (41).[2] However, Mary Grace Baloyo, a Philippine Air Force pilot who died in a crash on 26 March 2001 and is on record as being conferred the medal by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on 3 April 2001, is not included in the summary of recipients.[44][47]

Statistics

Notes

1.^ The Philippine Constabulary was merged with the Integrated National Police on 29 January 1991, forming the Philippine National Police.

References

  1. ^ a b c d "FC 1-0062 Awards and Decorations" (PDF). Philippine Army. October 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 December 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Fonbuena, Carmela (20 December 2017). "FAST FACTS: List of Medal of Valor awardees and their privileges". Rappler. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  3. ^ The AFP Adjutant General, Awards and Decorations Handbook, 1997, OTAG, p. 11-12.
  4. ^ Presidential Security Group. "Awards and Decorations". Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  5. ^ Soliven, Max (25 August 2005). "Not all men of valor got a medal: We must honor those who did". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  6. ^ Congress of the Philippines Eleventh Congress (March 22, 2001). "AN ACT GRANTING MONTHLY GRATUITY AND PRIVILEGES TO AN AWARDEE OF THE MEDAL OF VALOR, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES". lawphil. Retrieved March 22, 2001.
  7. ^ Aurelio, Julie M. (May 9, 2015). "Medal of Valor eyed for 30 SAF survivors". inquirer. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  8. ^ "AFP hails hike in Medal of Valor cash award". Manila Standard. Philippine News Agency. 25 December 2016. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  9. ^ "Medal for Valor Awardee assumes as new Army Commanding General". Philippine Army. Retrieved 5 December 2020. A Medal for Valor awardee formally assumes leadership of the Philippine Army here today, August 4, 2020.
  10. ^ Nepomuceno, Priam. "IRR on privileges for Medal of Valor awardees signed". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 5 December 2020. Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, together with heads of other agencies, formally signed the Implementing Rules and Regulation of Republic Act 9049 - also known as the "An Act Granting Monthly Gratuity and Privileges to an Awardee of the Medal of Valor (MOV) ", during short ceremonies at DND headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City last July 31.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Fonbuena, Carmela (21 December 2017). "Living heroes: 5 Filipino soldiers who won the Medal of Valor". Rappler. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  12. ^ "AFPRESCOM Change of Command with Retirement Ceremony". Armed Forces of the Philippines. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  13. ^ Romero, Alexis (7 April 2011). "AFP Hall of Heroes includes Marcos". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  14. ^ a b c Farolan, Ramon (13 February 2017). "Medal of Valor". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  15. ^ Salazar Jr., Melito (18 August 2016). "A contrast of heroes". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 21 December 2017.[dead link]
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad "Defenders of Bataan and Corredgidor and other USAFFE Fronts Philippines: Heroism". Defenders of Bataan and Corredgidor. Archived from the original on 2021-05-12. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  17. ^ Villegas, CJ (25 May 2016). "Who is General Paulino Santos?". General Santos City Public Library. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  18. ^ a b c d e f Cabunoc, Harold (26 November 2011). "Scout Rangers: The legend continues". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  19. ^ a b "Why Duterte gov't believes Marcos is a war hero". Rappler. 1 September 2016. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  20. ^ Romero, Alexis (7 April 2011). "AFP Hall of Heroes includes Marcos". Philippine Star. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  21. ^ Legaspi, Amita (12 April 2011). "Palace sees no issue in Marcos' inclusion in AFP Hall of Heroes". GMA News. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  22. ^ a b "Filipino Soldier Who Killed Brother In Coup Attempt Gets Bravery Medal". Deseret News. 22 March 1991. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  23. ^ a b c d "The Lone Ranger At The Port". Armed Forces of the Philippines. 9 March 2015. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  24. ^ a b Fonbuena, Carmela (13 February 2015). "The legend of the soldier who said: 'Fire on my location'". Rappler. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  25. ^ a b Armed Forces of the Philippines (21 December 1992). "Staff Sergeant Roy L. Cuenca 638602 Philippine Army". Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  26. ^ "Medal for Valor Awardees: CAPTAIN ROBERT EDUARD M LUCERO O-9713 PHILIPPINE ARMY". Philippine Army. Archived from the original on 7 July 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  27. ^ a b "Medal for Valor Awardees: Staff Sergeant Lucio G Curig 704115 PA". Philippine Army. 2007. Archived from the original on 2014-08-11. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  28. ^ a b Reyes, Victor (26 April 2008). "Lack of stress therapy blamed for colonel's suicide". Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  29. ^ Jacinto, Al (29 April 2004). "Philippine Army Officer Awarded for Killing of Extremist Leader". Arab News. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  30. ^ a b East, Robert (2013). Terror Truncated: The Decline of the Abu Sayyaf Group from the Crucial Year 2002. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. p. 45. ISBN 978-1-4438-4461-1.
  31. ^ a b Fonbuena, Carmela (20 December 2013). "Soldier killed in Zambo given highest military honor". Rappler. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  32. ^ "AFP Honors 53 Soldiers, Employees in 78th Anniversary Ceremony". Armed Forces of the Philippines. 20 December 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  33. ^ a b Mangosing, Frances G. (20 December 2017). "Marawi City siege's 'Daredevil' gets Medal of Valor". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Medal for Valor". Philippine Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 12 July 2007. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  35. ^ Medina, Andrei (22 March 2016). "Who Is Colonel Querubin?". Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  36. ^ "Who is Col. Ariel Querubin?". Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. 27 February 2006. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  37. ^ a b Morelos, Mike (25 October 2011). "A 'Hero' for kids of slain soldiers". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  38. ^ Sadongdong, Martin (10 July 2021). "Marine killed in 2017 Marawi siege gets Valor award". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  39. ^ "Igorot Marine awarded Medal for Valor". Igorotage. 10 July 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  40. ^ "Marines killed in Marawi receive full military honors". cnn. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  41. ^ a b "Philippine Air Force (PAF)". globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  42. ^ December 1989 Coup Fact-Finding Commission (1990). "Final Report of the Fact-Finding Commission (Pursuant to R.A. No. 6832)". Bookmark Inc. Retrieved 25 December 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  43. ^ "Major Danilo Atienza Air Base". Philippine Air Force. Archived from the original on 26 December 2017. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  44. ^ a b Gomez, Carla (4 April 2001). "Gloria Confers Medal of Valor on Heroine Pilot". Philippine Daily Inquirer. pp. A4. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
  45. ^ "Radiograph of President Osmeña to General MacArthur on the awarding of the Philippine Medal of Valor". Philippine Government. Retrieved 5 December 2020. As a public recognition of your untiring efforts for the liberation of the Philippines and your extraordinary achievements to accomplish this high purpose I am awarding to you today the Philippine Medal of Valor, the highest award in my power to give.
  46. ^ "General Jonathan Wainwright received Philippine medal for valor | Harry S. Truman".
  47. ^ Gomez, Carla (9 April 2001). "She Showed All of Us How a Soldier Should Die". Philippine Daily Inquirer. pp. A6. Retrieved 1 September 2015.

Further reading