ANIM na tauhan ng 505th Search and Rescue Group ng Philippine Air Force ang ginawaran ng pagkilala dahil sa pag-rescue sa 96 sibilyan mula sa nasusunog na residential building sa Mandaluyong City, sa ginanap na Pin and Award Ceremony sa ginanap na 4th Asian Defense & Security (ADAS) and Crisis Management Exhibition and Conference sa World Trade Center sa Pasay City.
Kinilala ni Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana ang mga awardees na sina Maj Cliford Mardicas PAF; 1lt Jezreel Panelo PAF; TSg Ruel Bilan PAF; TSg Arnold Marges PAF; SSg Dunhill Guanzon PAF; at SSg Joey Lopez PAF.
Sinabi ni Sec. Lorenzana sa mensahe na binasa ni Undersecretary of National Defense Cardozo Luna: “I am certain that there was no expectation on your part when you did your duty with gallantry on September 2, 2021 because that is what you always do in the Search and Rescue Group. You are truly deserving of your awards for having saved not only 96 lives but 96 families who could have lost their loved ones if not for your prompt and efficient rescue operation”.
Pinamunuan ng Lockheed Martin at Sikorsky, ang kumpanyang may gawa ng S-76A helicopter na ginamit ng mga rescuers para ilikas ang mga civilians mula sa nasusunog na Metro Tower Building sa Mandaluyong City nuong September 2, 2021.
Ayon kay Sec. Lorenzana, “while the Armed Forces never demand awards and recognition, as Defense Secretary, I see the value in highlighting extraordinary heroism as a morale booster and reminder of the nobility of our Filipino soldiers.”
“Allow me, therefore, to thank Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky for organizing this recognition ceremony to appreciate the heroism not only of the awardees but of all Filipino soldiers in general,” dagdag pa ng defense chief. (VICTOR BALDEMOR)
