USS George Washington arrives in RP today

THE PHILIPPINE STAR, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2009, page 14

By JAMES MANANGHAYA

US aircraft carrier USS
George Washington is set to arrive
in the country today for a
five-day goodwill visit, the
Philippine Navy said yesterday.
Lt. Col Edgard Arevalo,
Navy spokesman said. the
ship's crew would participate
in various community development
projects, mostly for
Filipino veterans and school
children.
Arevalo said projects lined
up include the improvement
of facilities at the Veterans Memorial
Medical Center in Quezon
City, as well as repair and
painting of several elementary
schools in Metro Manda.
"After a traditional courtesy
call by Rear Admiral Kevin
Donegan, head of the entire
delegation and chief of Task
Force 70 to Navy chief Vice
Admiral Ferdinand Golez, the
activity kicks off with the professional
exchange between the officers of the two Navies,"
he said.
The vessel is the fourth US Navy to be named after
George Washington, the first US President.
The ship has more than 3,000 officers and sailors.
Its skipper is Commander David Alan Lausman.
The visit came several months after the USS Blue Ridge's
own port call in the Philippines, during which its crew
took part in several humanitarian projects,
Arevalo allayed fears that
the vessel could be bringing in
nuclear weapons when it enters Philippine territory
saying they expect the US to comply
with the provisions of the
Constitution on nuclear armaments.
"The US government neither
confirms nor denies that
the USS Washington is carrying
nuclear weapon, but we
are inclined to believe that
they know the provisions of
our laws and that we are
counting on mutual trust," he
said.
The Constitution prohibits
the entry of foreign vessels
that carry nuclear arms. The
Department of Foreign Affairs
said the entry of the vessel
does not violate the Constitution
because it is only an aircraft
carrier that runs on nuclear
power.
Just a week ago, President
Arroyo met with US President
Barack Obama in Washington
to discuss, among others, mutual
security concerns.

RP Navy ·welcomes US carrier

Manila Bulletin, Tuesday, August 11, 2009, page 12

By: ELENA L. ABEN

The Philippine Navy, led by its
Flag Officer-in-Command (FOIC),
Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez, will
meet with their American counterparts
as the aircraft carrier USS
George Washington arrives today in
Manila for a five-day goodwill visit to
the country. ,
Navy spokesman, Lt. Col. Edgard
Arevalo said officers and crew of the
USS Navy aircraft carrier headed by
Capt. David Lausman will participate
in community development projects,
which will include a 10 barangay
outreach program, sports events, and
other humanitarian pursuits.
"We are eager to embark on the
many worthwhile endeavors lined-up
for this visit," said Golez. "This is
one of those opportunities that our
navy goes in partnership with brother
navies from around the world in civic
action and community relations projects,"
he added.
Arevalo said after a traditional
courtesy call by the head of the entire
delegation and Commander, Task
Force 70, Rear Admiral Kevin Donegan
of the US Navy with the Philippine
Navy FOIC, the activity kicks off with
the professional exchange between
the officers of the two navies.
"The days following shall see both
navies busy with Filipino veterans
and elementary school children's
welfare projects, among many other
endeavors," Arevalo added.
USS Washington is set to leave
Manila on Saturday, Aug. 15.

4 Cory honor guards may end up in Guinness Book

TONIGHT, AGOSTO 10, 2009, Page 7

By: Alfred Dalizon

A ROOKIE policeman
and three soldiers who
stood motionless for !;line
hours while acting as
honor guards for the late
ex-President Corazon C.
Aquino may end up in
the Guinness Book of
World Records for their.
feat.
It could be very possible
since the four-- Police Officer
I Danilo Malab Jr. and
Armed Forces personnel:
Army Private First Class
Antonio Cadiente, Navy
Petty Officer 3 Edgardo
Roriguez and Airman 2nd
Class Gener Laguindan,
may hold the distinction of
standing still for nine hours
without eating and relieving
themselves while guarding
the coffin of a beloved leader.
The four said they did it out of their
dedication to duty and love and respect for
the revered icon of democracy
who now lies in her final
resting place at the Manila
Memorial Park after a nine-hour
long procession from
Manila Cathedral last
Wednesday.
A grateful Aquino family
had expressed its sincerest
thanks to the Philippine
National Police and the AFP
particularly its honor guards
and security personnel who
helped bury the late
president without any hitch
last Wednesday. This
morning, PNP chief, Director
General Jesus A. Verzosa
and his command group will
honor all PNP officers and
men who played a part in
the successful security and
honor rite for Mrs, Aquino.
Ex- Tarlac Congressman
Jose "Peping" Cojuangco and
his wife Margarita, president
ofthe Philippine Public Safety
CollegegavePIO.OOO to Malab
the other night all a token of
their appreciation. The Aquino
family gave P25,OOO each to
Malab and his three fellow
escorts from the AFP.
PNP spokesman, Senior
Supt. Leonardo A. Espina
said Malab will lead today's
honorees.
"We're particularly proud
of PO1 Malab who really
showed what a disciplined
police officer should be. He
and the other PNP honor
guards really displayed
dedication to duty and
professionalism and will be
cited for their fine display of
discipline," said Espina.

3 Cory honor guards to get AFP medals

THE PHILIPPINE STAR, page 20 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2009

By: JAMES MANANGHAYA

Following a wave of recognition
and rewards, three of the
four honor guards during the
funeral of former President
Corazon Aquino would be given
military merit medals for
their exemplary performance.
Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) spokesman Lt.
Col. Romeo Brawner said
Army Pfc. Antonio Cadiente,
Airman Second Class Gener
Laguindan, Navy Petty Officer
3 Edgardo Rodriguez
would be awarded in a formal
ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo
today for showing the highest
form of discipline and professionalism
when they guarded
the remains of the late leader
to her final resting place.
Brawner said the three carried
out their task in the finest
military fashion - even if it
was not in the field of combat
- earning them not only local,
but international recognition.
But he clarified that the
three would not be the only
ones to be awarded but also
other soldier's who were involved
from the wake at La
Salle Greenhills to the Manila
Cathedral.
"It would not be a single
awarding because they are
about 1,000 AFP personnel,
but definitely everybody
would be awarded," he said.
Brawner said AFP chief
Gen. Victor Ibrado is very
proud of what the soldiers did,
because they not only showed
the present state of discipline
within the ranks but also they
were able to show the military's
love for the beloved leader by the simple
gesture of rendering full military honors.
He said they are expecting
the three to become role models
among their colleagues and
inspire others to do thei r job
well regardless of their assignment.
Following the funeral
march, the three soldiers became
instant celebrities. Everywhere
they went, people
would want to have their picture
taken with the four, who
gained recognition because of
the extraordinary display of
discipline and professionalism
in standing beside the coffin
bearing Aquino's remains for
more than eight hours.
Last Friday, they were given
"cash rewards" by Sen.
Alan Peter Cayetano and
former senator Butz Aquino in
Makati City.
Last Thursday night, the
four were invited by the Aquino
family to join a Mass and
dinner at the house of Philippine
Olympic Committee
chair Jose "Peping" Cojuangco
at his residence in Makati
City.
There, they were also given
"cash rewards" for their extraordinary
feat, which according
to Cadiente, would go
to their families.
Laguindan said the recognition
that they received after
serving as honor guards made
them feel that every assignment
in the AFP is never too
little for anyone.
"Even if, as a soldier, you
are not fighting out in the field,
even if you are assigned in the
office, we should do our share
and do our job in the best way
we could," he said.