By Joseph Anthony A. Damgo
Calling the resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal a success despite being confronted head-on by Chinese Navy, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sunday saluted the Western Command troops for exercising restraint even in the midst of a hostile situation.
During his visit to the Armed Forces of the Philippines – Western Command in Palawan on Sunday, President Marcos said he was not only impressed, but at the same time, felt proud by the conduct shown by the troops involved in the mission.
“As your Commander-in-Chief, I have never been prouder of the brave women and men of not just the Western Command but the entire Armed Forces as I am today,” President Marcos said.
“I salute the eighty officers and troops who sailed the waters and exercised the greatest restraint amidst intense provocation,” he said.
The China Coast Guard rammed into the Filipino vessel on a resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. The Filipino troops were then attacked by bladed and pointed weapons to prevent the resupply mission.
A Philippine Navy personnel, Seaman First Class Underwater Operator Jeffrey Facundo, lost a finger during the fracas.
“You demonstrated to the world that the Filipino spirit is one that is brave, determined, and yet is compassionate,” President Marcos said.
“Even stronger are the people who continue to inspire and motivate you to be at your best: your families, your friends who continue to pray for your safety and to try to ease your worries,” he said.
President Marcos congratulated the troops for accomplishing the mission — to defend the country’s maritime domain and allow the citizens to exercise their sovereign rights within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
“You are doing… It is nothing less than the defense of the sovereignty of the Republic, the defense of the territorial integrity of the Republic of the Philippines. That is your mission and that is the mission that you have been able to comply with,” the President said.
“Maliwanag na maliwanag kahit gaano kahirap, kahit gaano kabigat ang trabaho na ibinibigay sa inyo ay mission accomplished pa rin kayo every time that you go out,” he added.
Medals were given to 80 WESCOM troops who participated in the Ayungin mission to recognize their extraordinary service to the government.
The President awarded the Order of Lapu-Lapu Rank of Kampilan to Facundo for his actions during the mission. Aside from Facundo, 79 others were awarded by the President the Order of Lapu-Lapu Rank of Kamagi.
The Order of Lapu-Lapu is awarded to government officials and personnel, as well as to private individuals, in recognition of their invaluable or extraordinary service in furtherance of the President’s campaign or advocacy
“As we award these medals, we remember that on June 17th, we made a conscious and deliberate choice to remain in the path of peace. The government will continue to provide you all your needs and look after your welfare and your families’ welfare.,” President Marcos said.
The President called on the men and women of the Western Command to continue fulfilling their duties of defending the Philippines with integrity and respect.
“So, on behalf of the Filipino nation, I make this great request. Continue to fulfill your duty of defending the nation with integrity and respect as you have done so far,” President Marcos said.
“Dahil ‘yan ang talagang pinaka-importante dito. Dahil delikado ang sitwasyon at kung isa sa inyo nagkamali, o nagalit, o uminit ang ulo na may ginawa, ay magkakagulo nang husto,” the President said, referring to the latest Philippine resupply mission marred by Chinese aggressive actions.
“But you have not done any of that, you have remained professional. You have remained calm. You have remained mission-oriented. And for that we thank you for your service,” the President said.
“Kayo ang halimbawa ng isang Bagong Pilipinas. Kayo ay isa sa aming inspirasyon para lalo pang pagbutihin ang aming sinumpaang tungkulin. Let us continue to chart the destiny of our nation as that is what we are doing now. We are charting the destiny of the Philippines, one that is strengthened by diversity and united in our quest for peace,” he added.
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