METROBANK FOUNDATION SOLDIER-AWARDEES. (From left) Master Sergeant Ramil Caporas, Rotary Club of Makati Metro Vice President Al Miguel Leogardo, Defense Undersecretary Cardozo Luna, Metrobank Foundation President Aniceto Sobrepeña, AFP Chief of Staff General Benjamin Madrigal Jr., Major Romulo Dimayuga, and Lieutenant Colonel John Paul Baldomar (Photo courtesy of AFP PAO)
MANILA -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) lauded on Monday three of its personnel, who were named among the 2019 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino – Award for Soldiers (MFOFAS) at its headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
The soldiers, Lt. Col. John Paul Baldomar and M/Sgt. Ramil Caporas of the Philippine Army and Maj. Romulo Dimayuga of the Philippine Marines, were chosen for rendering service above and beyond the call of duty.
“You have proven your diligence and perseverance for the advancement of our country and our fellow men through the simple yet extraordinary achievements in the performance of your duties,” AFP chief of staff Gen. Benjamin Madrigal said.
Baldomar has been in service for 22 years. In 2001, he spearheaded an initiative that rallied his troops to respond to the plight of 95 internally displaced Tiruray families in Datu Unsay, Maguindanao.
His unit collaborated with the local government and non-government organizations to implement community-based programs and support the development of infrastructures from school buildings to farm-to-market roads.
He earned his Master’s Degree in Transformational Leadership at the International Graduate School of Leadership-Asia in 2014.
Nineteen years into the military service, Dimayuga held a number of key positions as a Marine officer. In 2006, his leadership as a platoon commander of a Force Recon Platoon was instrumental in crippling the forces of the most notorious terrorist group in the country (Abu Sayyaf) by infiltrating their stronghold in Sulu.
This led to the neutralization of its top leader, who was tagged as one of the most wanted men in Southeast Asia and listed as one of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most wanted terrorists. He is currently taking up Master of Science in Defense Analysis at a Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.
With a two-decade career in the ordnance disposal service, Caporas has made it his life’s work to safeguard communities from the threats of bombs and explosions.
Among his many accomplishments was when he previously led a team of explosive ordnance disposal experts during the Marawi siege, which resulted in the recovery and proper disposal of 1,000 improvised explosive devices, ensuring the safety of the troops inside the battle zone.
Caporas also has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration at Carlos Hilado Memorial State College in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.
Each of the awardees will receive a cash prize of PHP1 million, a gold medal, and a trophy during Metrobank’s 57th anniversary celebration later this month.
They will join the ranks of more than 600 public servants that were recognized by the Metrobank Foundation, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Makati Metro, since 1985. (PNA)
