Davao City – The Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), Philippine Army awarded, Bronze Cross Medals to Davao Army reservists for their acts of heroism involving risk of life as front liners during the successful conduct of Security Augmentation and Crowd Control and Distribution of Relief Goods from 01 April to 30 June 2020.
The Davao Army reservists belong to the 2202nd Ready Reserve Infantry Brigade (2202 RRIBde) and the 1105th Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion (1105 RRIBn) PA.
In its General Order (GO) numbers 390 and 391 dated 19 August 2020, the EastMinCom cited that Colonel Isidro T. Ungab (GSC) PA (RES), Colonel Sara Z Duterte (GSC) PA (RES) and other Reservists Officers and Enlisted Reservists disregarding their safety and risk of life demonstrated exemplary performance, devotion to duty and exemplified their unwavering service to country without receiving even any compensation from the government in implementing the IATF Covid-19 protocols.
The successful conduct of their activities had helped millions of people of Davao City to avoid being inflected by Covid-19 which resulted to thousands of lives saved, the GO further stated.
“Their sense of responsibility and dedication to duty made a remarkable impact to the community in the whole Region XI thereby promoting the importance of AFP Reservists in accomplishing its role in nation building in the spirit of volunteerism.”, the citation added.
By command of LtGen. Jose C. Faustino Jr. AFP, the EastMinCom further added: the achievements garnered by these dedicated Officers and Enlisted Personnel are worthy of emulation since these laudable men and women took time out from their busy schedules in order to fulfill their commitment to offer valuable time, effort and even personal resources in the service of their countrymen by sustaining a culture of peace and service within Region XI.
By these manifestations, they earned lasting admiration and gratitude not only from the EastMinCom but also in the AFP as a whole.
Colonel Ungab upon receipt of the GO said: thank you my beloved country, thank you to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and thank God Almighty for keeping my troops safe and secure amidst the pandemic.
Our troops have shown extraordinary spirit of volunteerism in times of crisis. As a reserve officer of the AFP and Brigade Commander of the 2202nd RRIBde, performing active duty service since March 17, I am honored to receive this non-combat heroism medal from the EastMinCom, perhaps one of the highest awards a reserve officer can achieve for risking our lives for our country outside the combat zone.
Included in the list of Army reservists awarded with the Bronze Cross Medals were Colonel Edgar Crisanto R. Violan MI (GSC) PA (RES), LTC. Miguel M. Ayala PA (RES), LTC. Christopher Lawrence T. Go PA (RES) and LTC. Rodrigo L. Rivamonte (GSC) PA (RES).
The 2202 RRIBde is being administered by the 11th Regional Community Defense Group (11 RCDG) under the command of Colonel Ruben B. Matillano INF (GSC) PA. (EASTMINCOM/ DPAO/ CMO 10th ID)