TAYABAS, Quezon—Quezon Gov. David C. Suarez commended 15 soldiers from the province who fought and survived the five-month siege in Marawi City from Maute-inspired terrorists.
Suarez called the 15 soldiers “our new heroes today.”
“They did their best and sacrificed their lives for the freedom and liberty of their countrymen. Whatever we have given them is small change compared to the bravery and courage they showed to preserve our freedom and the autonomy of our country,” Suarez said during the 176th death anniversary of Hermano Pule on November 4 at his statue in Barangay Isabang here.
Suarez called the names of the 15 soldiers who stood proudly in their uniforms. The 15 belonged to the 1st Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Hundreds of spectators who were sheltered under tents from a heavy downpour and lashing wind at the commemoration rites attended by various provincial government officials and employees, municipal and barangay officials and representatives of various private organizations in the province.
The 15 battle-scarred soldiers cited were: Sgt. Marlon Andrade of Alabat; Cpl. Aldin Menes of Barangay Sabang 2, Calauag; Cpl. Ronnie Gesta of Barangay Rizal, Calauag; Cpl. Jay A. Javier of Calauag; Cpl. Cheryl E. Ramirez of Barangay San Roque, Catanauan; Private First Class (Pfc.) Kevin Ardonia of Gumian, Infanta; Pfc. Joshua P. Avenilla of Lubayat, Real;
Pfc. Onofre Datario of Barangay Llavac, Real; Pfc. Joseph S. Ferrer of Unisan; Pfc. Jhon Peralta of Macalelon; Pfc. John Michael Vilar of San Roque Ibaba, Calauag; Pfc. Nuclie Lee Villasanta of Lopez; Pfc. Ian Nicholo O. AIles of Barangay Bocboc, Lopez; Pfc. Rinuel Avenilla of Barangay Lubayat, Real; and Pfc. Marlon V. Dejoras of Barangay Lubayat, Real.
Suarez told AFP Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) Chief Maj. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, who led the soldiers in attending the program, that he hopes the remaining soldiers of the province still involved in the clearing operations in Marawi will be able to return safe with their families in Quezon.
Ma. Janet Geneblazo, provincial government public information officer, said each soldier will be receiving P30,000 cash from the governor and P20,000 from his father, House Minority Floor Leader Rep. Danilo E. Suarez of the Third District of Quezon, aside from plaques and resolution from the Sangguniang Panglalawigan honoring their heroism and bravery in battle.
During his brief speech, Suarez cited again the heroism and valor of Pule, whose real name is Apolinario de la Cruz. Suarez cited the ideals and principles of equality in the religious organization he founded called Cofradia de San Jose that inspired the three Filipino martyred priests Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora and other national heroes, including Jose Rizal that led to the Philippine revolution against Spanish tyranny in 1898.
The governor then announced the formation of a new group with the acronym of PULI or Provincial Union of Leaders Against Illegality which he said will number no less than 10,000 volunteers coming from the sitios and barangays of the province. The volunteers will report against illegal drugs, insurgency, illegal gambling, illegal logging and other illegal activities in their respective communities.