President visits troops wounded in WPS face-off

ORDER OF MERIT President Marcos on Sunday meets SN1 Jeffrey Facundo, one of the 80 Navy soldiers in the June 17 supply mission to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, who lost his right thumb in the ensuing assault on those troops by the China Coast Guard. Facundo was awarded the Order of Lapu-Lapu Kampilan Medal, and rest of the troops, the Order of Lapu-Lapu Kamagi Medals. —PPA Pool

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday rallied troops at the Western Command based in this city to continue fulfilling their mission and duty of defending the nation, particularly in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), with integrity and respect.

The President visited and lauded the troops, especially the personnel who have been conducting rotation and resupply (Rore) operations to the Philippine Navy vessel BRP Sierra Madre, which was grounded at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in 1999 to serve as an outpost in WPS.

Marcos expressed his appreciation of the soldiers taking part in the missions as they have face harassment and intimidation from the China Coast Guard (CCG) and maritime militia.

READ: China Coast Guard boarded PH ships during Ayungin mission – report

“Despite these challenges, you have stood up and upheld the fundamental principles that bind all of us Filipinos. A mutual respect for life, for dignity, and for community,” he said in his speech.

He noted that despite the dangerous acts of the CCG against resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal, Filipino soldiers have remained calm and composed, reacting to the challenges professionally.

Peaceful means

Soldiers are bound to act according to their mandate and perform their duties without resorting to the use of force, or intimidation, or deliberately inflict injury or harm to anyone, Marcos said.

The President added that while the country remains committed to resolve maritime issues through peaceful means, the government is firm and “should not be mistaken for acquiescence.”

He pointed out that as history has shown, the Philippines never yielded to any foreign power, which meant “we owe to our forefathers the duty to keep the freedoms that they fought, bled, and died for, and that we presently enjoy.”

“The Philippines is a responsible state. We will continue to exercise our freedoms and rights in support of our national interest, in accordance with international law,” he added.

He lauded the troops who “sailed the waters and exercised the greatest restraint amidst intense provocation.”

“You demonstrated to the world that the Filipino spirit is one that is brave, determined, and yet is compassionate,” he noted.

Making special mention of SN1 Jeffrey Facundo, whose right thumb was severed in the June 17 incident involving the CCG while on the Rore mission at WPS, he said the government would continue to provide soldiers and their families all the necessary support.

After his speech, he conferred awards of the Order of Lapu-lapu with the rank of Kamagi to the 80 soldiers who participated in the Rore mission, while Facundo was awarded the Order of Lapu-lapu with the rank of Kampilan.

The Order of Lapu-Lapu, named in honor of the Mactan Island chief who repelled Spanish forces led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, is a national order of merit conferred by the President on officials and personnel of the government and private individuals in recognition of their invaluable or extraordinary service in relation to the administration’s campaign or advocacy.