Youngest Medal of Valor recipient honored by alma mater
Published Jun 6, 2019 06:55 pm
By Francis Wakefield
A 21-year-old soldier who died in battle during the Zamboanga siege in 2013 and considered as the youngest recipient of the Medal of Valor, was honored by his high school alma mater in Pagadian City on Wednesday, June 5.
(PHOTO COURTESY OF AFP CIVIL RELATIONS SERVICE / MANILA BULLETIN)
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Affairs chief Col. Noel Detoyato, said the late Private First Class Ian Paquit was honored by the Otto Lingue National High School (OLNHS), during a ceremony attended by school officials, students, and military officials.
Private First Class Paquit is a 2008 alumnus of the school.
Pfc Paquit, it was recalled, was posthumously awarded the Medal for Valor on December 21, 2013 for conspicuous courage, gallantry, and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Automatic Rifleman of the Army’s First Scout Ranger Regiment during the Zamboanga Siege.
Despite sustaining wounds as a result of a previous encounter, Paquit returned to ground zero in defense of the people in Zamboanga. Unfortunately, the young soldier died as a result of wounds he sustained while providing suppressive fire to give his fellow troops the chance to relocate their positions after their cover was degraded by intense enemy fire.
Detoyato said faculty members and students of the OLNHS in Lower Sibatang recognized Pfc. Paquit in a ceremony which was attended by top military officers led by AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Salvador Mison Jr.
Military officials also present were Brigadier General Cirilo Donato, the Deputy Commander of the AFP's Western Mindanao Command; Brigadier General Roberto Ancan, the Commander of the Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry Division; and Brigadier General Bagnus Gaerlan, the Commander of the Army’s 102nd Brigade.
Detoyato said during the ceremony, a plaque of recognition was presented to Pfc. Paquit’s family. His father Eduardo, mother Presentacion, and sisters Irene and Imee, received the award on behalf of the late hero.
During the program, a memorial in honor of the late hero was also unveiled by the school led by its Principal Mr. Arnold Cabantog and Department of Education (DepEd) Division Superintendent Dr. Juleto Fernandez.
Encased in a glass display were a replica of Pfc. Paquit’s Medal of Valor, his Scout Ranger uniform, and a brass citation of the award.
Brigadier General Bienvenido Datuin Jr., the Commander of the AFP's Civil Relations Service, said the memorial shall serve as a reminder of the bravery and heroism of soldiers who, just like Pfc Paquit, are willing to sacrifice their lives in order to protect our nation’s freedom and achieve lasting peace.
"Our goal is to encourage the students of Otto Lingue to be inspired by the heroism of Pfc Paquit, if not as future soldiers then as citizens with a deep sense of patriotism and love for country,” Datuin said.
Earlier in the day, the AFP-CRS and the 1st ID held a dialogue with the students where they emphasize the heroism of Pfc. Paquit.
The Zamboanga siege, it was recalled, was an armed conflict between the government and a faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), generally known by other factions as the Rogue MNLF Elements (RME) under the Sulu State Revolutionary Command (SSRC) led by Ustadz Habier Malik and Khaid Ajibon, whose group continues to recognize Nur Misuari as MNLF Chairman.
The crisis, which lasted 19 days, erupted on September 9, 2013 when the MNLF faction attempted to raise the flag of the self-proclaimed Bangsamoro Republic at Zamboanga City Hall, which had earlier declared its independence on August 12, 2013 in Talipao, Sulu.
Army Spokesman Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, said the story of Private First Class Paquit is just one of the countless displays of their soldiers' resolute will to forge on despite the challenges in the battlefield.
"Many others may remain untold but such gestures from our civilian stakeholders inspire us to carry on with our work, and if necessary, put our lives on the line to accomplish the mission", Zagala said.
Zagala said Paquit was a recipient of the Medal of Valor, the highest military honor, for his conspicuous acts of gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty during the attack on Zamboanga City by rogue Moro National Liberation Front elements led by Uztadz Habier Malik in 2013.
The attack cost the lives of 20 AFP troops and five from the Philippine National Police (PNP).
A total of 195 AFP and PNP troops, on the other hand, were wounded while 208 rogue MNLF attackers were killed and another 294 were either captured or apprehended.
Government forces were able to rescue 195 hostages and recover 414 firearms. Sadly, 12 civilian lives were lost and 79 were injured in the attack.
Paquit was with the 3rd Scout Ranger Company of the Army's 1st Scout Ranger Battalion. He served as rifleman against more or less 100 rogue MNLF elements.
At the height of the firefight, he adjusted his position to a better line of sight but which made him more vulnerable to enemy fire. He was able to prevent further casualties on the government side and greatly aided to the neutralization of enemy firing positions before a bullet pierced his neck, causing his fatal death.
“Proud kami sa kanya. Nagpapasalamat kaming lahat sa pagkilala ng AFP sa kanyang kabayanihan,” said Paquit's sister Irene.
(PHOTO COURTESY OF AFP CIVIL RELATIONS SERVICE / MANILA BULLETIN)
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Affairs chief Col. Noel Detoyato, said the late Private First Class Ian Paquit was honored by the Otto Lingue National High School (OLNHS), during a ceremony attended by school officials, students, and military officials.
Private First Class Paquit is a 2008 alumnus of the school.
Pfc Paquit, it was recalled, was posthumously awarded the Medal for Valor on December 21, 2013 for conspicuous courage, gallantry, and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Automatic Rifleman of the Army’s First Scout Ranger Regiment during the Zamboanga Siege.
Despite sustaining wounds as a result of a previous encounter, Paquit returned to ground zero in defense of the people in Zamboanga. Unfortunately, the young soldier died as a result of wounds he sustained while providing suppressive fire to give his fellow troops the chance to relocate their positions after their cover was degraded by intense enemy fire.
Detoyato said faculty members and students of the OLNHS in Lower Sibatang recognized Pfc. Paquit in a ceremony which was attended by top military officers led by AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Salvador Mison Jr.
Military officials also present were Brigadier General Cirilo Donato, the Deputy Commander of the AFP's Western Mindanao Command; Brigadier General Roberto Ancan, the Commander of the Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry Division; and Brigadier General Bagnus Gaerlan, the Commander of the Army’s 102nd Brigade.
Detoyato said during the ceremony, a plaque of recognition was presented to Pfc. Paquit’s family. His father Eduardo, mother Presentacion, and sisters Irene and Imee, received the award on behalf of the late hero.
During the program, a memorial in honor of the late hero was also unveiled by the school led by its Principal Mr. Arnold Cabantog and Department of Education (DepEd) Division Superintendent Dr. Juleto Fernandez.
Encased in a glass display were a replica of Pfc. Paquit’s Medal of Valor, his Scout Ranger uniform, and a brass citation of the award.
Brigadier General Bienvenido Datuin Jr., the Commander of the AFP's Civil Relations Service, said the memorial shall serve as a reminder of the bravery and heroism of soldiers who, just like Pfc Paquit, are willing to sacrifice their lives in order to protect our nation’s freedom and achieve lasting peace.
"Our goal is to encourage the students of Otto Lingue to be inspired by the heroism of Pfc Paquit, if not as future soldiers then as citizens with a deep sense of patriotism and love for country,” Datuin said.
Earlier in the day, the AFP-CRS and the 1st ID held a dialogue with the students where they emphasize the heroism of Pfc. Paquit.
The Zamboanga siege, it was recalled, was an armed conflict between the government and a faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), generally known by other factions as the Rogue MNLF Elements (RME) under the Sulu State Revolutionary Command (SSRC) led by Ustadz Habier Malik and Khaid Ajibon, whose group continues to recognize Nur Misuari as MNLF Chairman.
The crisis, which lasted 19 days, erupted on September 9, 2013 when the MNLF faction attempted to raise the flag of the self-proclaimed Bangsamoro Republic at Zamboanga City Hall, which had earlier declared its independence on August 12, 2013 in Talipao, Sulu.
Army Spokesman Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, said the story of Private First Class Paquit is just one of the countless displays of their soldiers' resolute will to forge on despite the challenges in the battlefield.
"Many others may remain untold but such gestures from our civilian stakeholders inspire us to carry on with our work, and if necessary, put our lives on the line to accomplish the mission", Zagala said.
Zagala said Paquit was a recipient of the Medal of Valor, the highest military honor, for his conspicuous acts of gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty during the attack on Zamboanga City by rogue Moro National Liberation Front elements led by Uztadz Habier Malik in 2013.
The attack cost the lives of 20 AFP troops and five from the Philippine National Police (PNP).
A total of 195 AFP and PNP troops, on the other hand, were wounded while 208 rogue MNLF attackers were killed and another 294 were either captured or apprehended.
Government forces were able to rescue 195 hostages and recover 414 firearms. Sadly, 12 civilian lives were lost and 79 were injured in the attack.
Paquit was with the 3rd Scout Ranger Company of the Army's 1st Scout Ranger Battalion. He served as rifleman against more or less 100 rogue MNLF elements.
At the height of the firefight, he adjusted his position to a better line of sight but which made him more vulnerable to enemy fire. He was able to prevent further casualties on the government side and greatly aided to the neutralization of enemy firing positions before a bullet pierced his neck, causing his fatal death.
“Proud kami sa kanya. Nagpapasalamat kaming lahat sa pagkilala ng AFP sa kanyang kabayanihan,” said Paquit's sister Irene.