FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City – The Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association, Inc. (PMAAAI) and the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) here cited nine of its Cavaliers for their outstanding performance in their respective fields of expertise during the annual alumni homecoming ceremonies over the weekend.
The awardees received plaques of recognition from the PMAAAI and PMA as an integral part of the alumni parade and program held at the Borromeo grounds.
Cavalier Wilfred A. Nicolas of PMA Class of 1965 received the award for Outstanding Performance in Public Enterprise. He is the present chairman of the Board of the Northwestern University in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. As Chairman of the Board for the private higher education institution, he led the directors in instituting plans and programs to improve the credibility of the school as an institution of higher learning.
Cavalier Hermogenes E. Ebdane, Jr. of the PMA Class of 1970 was conferred the award for Outstanding Performance in Public Administration. He was the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) from 2002-2004 before being named as the Director-General of the National Security Council (NSC) and National Security Adviser of the Office of the President from 2004-2005. He was also appointed as the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in 2006 before being named as the Secretary of National Defence in 2007 and the Secretary of Public Works and Highways in 2005 up to 2009. Ebdane was twice elected as the governor of Zambales in the 2010 and 2013 elections.
Cavalier Felicito Virgilio M. Trinidad, Jr. of PMA Class of 1982 was recipient of the award for Outstanding Performance for Command and Administration. He epitomized excellence, courage, integrity and loyalty and for adding prestige to the laurels of PMA and Command and Administration in positions of major responsibility as Commander of the 702nd Brigade of the 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army.
Cavalier Danilo G. Pamonag of PMA Class of 1985 received the award for Outstanding Performance in Army Operations for holding the position of Commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) before his group was known to be the joint special operations group because of their fete in the September 2013 Zamboanga siege. His group was able to score several tactical victories against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and kidnap for ransom groups which led to the neutralization of their leaders and members and the rescue of kidnap victims.
Cavalier Ronald M. dela Rosa of PMA Class of 1986 was conferred the award for Outstanding Performance for Police Operations. He was awarded as the Best Senior Police Commissioned Officer for Operations in 2010. He also received the award for Achievement Award in the field of Police Operations, and the Medalya ng Pambihirang Paglilingkod for Anti-Terrorism among others. He was also instrumental in the neutralization of the Montero kidnap for ransom group and the safe rescue of kidnap victim Sally Chua, a businesswoman who was kidnapped inside her office in Quezon City. He conceptualized and implemented a very unique anti-drug campaign strategy in Davao City dubbed as ‘Oplan Tokhang’a term coined from Visayan words ‘toktok and hangyo’ which means knock and plead and ‘Oplan Taphang” a term coined from Visayan words ‘tapok and hangyo’ which means gather and plead.
Cavalier Elpidio T. Factor of PMA Class of 1995 was conferred the award for Outstanding Performance for Naval Operations. He effectively and outstandingly served in various capacities in the Philippine Navy and always saw to it that the job given to him was not just successfully done but always accomplished with remarkable excellence through his leadership and brilliant tactical skills.
Cavalier Inocencio G. Rosario, Jr. of PMA Class of 1996 was conferred the award Outstanding Performance for Coast Guard Operations. He was a multi-awarded officer on the Philippine Coast Guard and has always been at the forefront of every Coast Guard operation entrusted to him.
Cavalier Gremel B. Brual of PMA Class of 1996 was cited for Outstanding Performance in Special Operations. He is currently the commander of the 17th Intelligence and Security Unit of the Philippine Army. He was primarily responsible for running the intelligence projects under the counter-terrorism efforts of the Philippine Army areas in the whole country.
Cavalier Jonathan P. de Leon of PMA Class of 2001 was awarded the Outstanding Performance for Air Force Operations. He performed his duties and responsibilities in various capacities with utmost dedication while serving with the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing and other units.
