President Aquino honors soldiers at AFP anniversary celebration

"Sa patong-patong na pagsubok na dinaanan ng bansa ngayong taon, taas-noo ninyong maipagmamalaki sa ating mga ninuno at sa mga kababayan natin ang ipinakita ninyong tapang, sigasig, at pananagutan sa serbisyo,” the President said of the outstanding soldiers.

Among the soldiers awarded was Private First Class Ian Paquit of the 3rd Scout Ranger Company, 1st Scout Ranger Regiment, who was given a Medal of Valor posthumously for his courage, dedication and sacrifice that contributed to the clearing and capture of rebels in the ZamboangaCity crisis.

Despite being wounded in an encounter on Sept. 13, Paquit led a defense operation in Barangay Sta. Barbara on Sept. 24 but was shot in his left neck, resulting to his death. The operations resulted in the capture of 41 Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) fighters and 15 more killed. Soldier Paquit's award was received by his father, Eduardo Paquit.

Fourteen soldiers were also awarded with the Distinguished Conduct Star, the second highest military award, for their conspicuous acts of gallantry; while eight other soldiers, two of them posthumously, received the Gold Cross Medal.

Other soldiers and civilians were awarded for their exemplary achievement in performing their duties. Some 2,000 soldiers were already awarded in line with their contributions in the operations in ZamboangaCitywhile other awards are in the pipeline to ensure that all soldiers involved in combat and administrative operations will be recognized.

"Nagpapasalamat din ako para sa halos 200 bihag na na-rescue natin mula sa masasamang puwersang naghasik ng karahasan sa Zamboanga, at para sa panunumbalik ng kaayusan sa lungsod. Sa ngalan ng mga kababayan nating niyanig ng malakas na lindol sa Cebu, Bohol, at kalapit na probinsya, maraming salamat sa mabilis ninyong pagresponde. Gayundin, maraming salamat sa pagsagip at paghahatid ninyo ng ayuda sa mga biktima ng bagyong Yolanda," he said.

"Pinatunayan ninyo sa buong mundo na gaano man kalaking hamon ang idulot ng mga mapagsamantala at ng mga dumarating na sakuna, anumang banta o peligro, gaano man kalayo at kaliblib na pook, basta’t tumbasan lamang ng tapang at dedikasyong tumulong, maaaruga at makakabangon ang mga Pilipino," he added.