SINA Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) Chairman Delfin Lorenzana at retired Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff General Cirilito Sobejana ang itinanghal na mga kauna-unahang Pilipino na tumanggap ng “Medal Perdamaian” or Medal of Peace mula sa pamahalaan ng Republic of Indonesia.
Pinangunahan ni Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines Agus Widjojo ang pagagawad ng parangal kina BCDA Chairman Lorenzana at former AFP chief Gen Sobejana (Ret) at sa 50 sundalong Pinoy na pinagkalooban ng Medal of Dharma Defense.
Ang pagkilalang iginawad ng Indonesia ay bunsod ng ginawang pagsisikap upang matagumpay na ma-rescue ng ligtas ang dalawang Indonesian nationals noong December 22, 2019 at isa pang Indonesia noong January 15, 2020.
Ang tatlong Indonesian fisherman ay dinukot ng Abu Sayyaf Group nuong September 23, 2019.
“We are gathered here this afternoon to give honor to these men who painstakingly adhere to the call of duty even if it meant putting their own lives at risk. It is their sense of commitment to uphold the righteous and condemn the lawlessness that made Indonesia decide to grant them two of Indonesia’s token of honor, the Medal of Peace and the Medal of Dharma Defense,” pahayag ni Ambassador Widjojo, na naggawad ng medalya sa ngalan ni Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
Pinapurihan niya si Chairman Lorenzana, na dating Secretary of National Defense sa panahon ni President Rodrigo Duterte administration, sa pangunguna at pangangasiwa sa AFP sa kanilang rescue missions.
Sa kanyang acceptance speech, ibinahagi ni Chairman Lorenzana ang parangal sa mga Indonesian, Malaysian at Filipino men and women na walang pagod na nagta trabaho para mabantayan at mapangalagaan ang common borders ng tatlong bansa.
Katunayan ay naitawid ng Duterte administration ang kanyang termino ng walang hostages taking na naganap , walang nabihag ang Abu Sayyaf. (VICTOR BALDEMOR)
