2 Navy sea marshals awarded for heroic act

Philippine Navy sea marshals Third Class Anifer Bucao and Fireman First Class Aviation Mechanic Oliver Cogo receive an award on Thursday at the IMO headquarters in London for helping save lives during the Super Ferry tragedy last year.

By: Jaime Laude
Philippine star, Sunday, November 28, 2010

MANILA, Philippines – The heroism of the two Philippine Navy sea marshals that led to the saving of 926 lives during the sinking of Super Ferry 9 off the coast of Zamboanga del Norte last year has earned them international recognition.

Gunnersmate Third Class Anifer Bucao and Fireman First Class Aviation Mechanic Oliver Cogo received an award on Thursday at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London.

Navy spokesman Capt. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said the two, members of a four-man Task Force Sea Marshal, considered their actions at the height of Sept. 6 Super Ferry disaster as part of their job.

Both recipients of the Navy’s Distinguished Cross last September, the two were informed only recently that their heroism has earned them a nomination to an IMO award, which the international seafarers body approved following deliberations during its council meeting last June.

Bucao and Cogo shared the IMO award, handed out by IMO’s Secretary General Eftimios Metropoulos during the body’s 88th Session on the Maritime Safety Commission Meeting last Thursday in London, with two PCG personnel, one of them Petty Officer Second Class Samuel Boniol.

“The four were presented the certificates of commendation in recognition of their actions in assisting in the evacuation and disembarkation of the panicked-stricken passengers of the severely listing ship,” Bacordo said.

When the captain of the ill-fated vessel ordered everybody to abandon ship, the four, whose duty was to protect the vessel and passengers from threats of terror, went out of their way to ensure an orderly and safe evacuation of the passengers.

Had it not for their gallant move, the number of fatalities could have been higher. A total of nine passengers died in that particular sea mishap.

Marines sent to Palawan to counter insurgency

By Mario J. Mallari
Daily Tribune, Saturday, November 27, 2010

The Navy yesterday sent another Marine battalion in Palawan to augment present troops operating in Western part of the country against insurgency.

During send off ceremonies, Navy Flag Officer in Command Rear Admiral Danilo Cortez reminded 413-strong 12th Marine Battalion of the importance of their mission of keeping the people safe from enemies of the state.

“Your deployment to the operational area is very important to the Navy’s mission and to the Armed Forces. It is in your hands to sustain the peace in your respective areas of responsibilities and to make the lives of its people free from violence and fear,” said Cortez.

The 12th Marine Battalion, led by Col. Jesus Raul Caldez, left for Palawan aboard BRP Dagupan City. The contingent is composed of 16 officers and 397 enlisted personnel.

Cortez said the 12th Marine Battalion will augment the Marine Battalion Landing Team-8 (MBLT-8) which is presently deployed in Palawan.

“Once again, the Fleet-Marine operations will be validated as our Marines and sailors work in tandem so that peace and development will reign in this particular part of the region,” said Cortez.

The Navy deploys Marine battalions in the operational area in view of the internal security requirements of the Naval Forces and Area Commands in their respective theater of operation. The 12th Marine Battalion will be under the operational command of Western Command led by Marine Maj. Gen. Juancho Sabban.

For his part, Caldez vowed to lead his men to accomplish the mission.

“The responsibilities entrusted to us are enormous and a road full of danger lies ahead. But in the end, we have to take into consideration the best interest of the Filipino populace,” said Caldez.

Meanwhile, BRP Dagupan City, commanded by Capt. Loumer Bernabe, will proceed to Zamboanga City to transport members of the MBLT-9, who just completed its retraining and refurbishing program in October to relieve-in-place MBLT-6 in Indanan, Sulu.

Members of the MBLT-6 are due for a six-month retraining and refurbishing at Headquarters Philippine Marine Corps, Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown, Taguig City.

By: Wally Vicoy
X-Files, Sabado, Nobyembre 27, 2010

DAAN-DAANG miyembro ng Philippine Marines ang pinadala kahapon sa Palawan para panatilihin ang kapayapaan dito. Ang Palawan ay sentro ngayon ng atraksiyon ng mga turista.

Sweet goodbye

By: Sonny Espiritu
Manila Standard, November 27, 2010

A Philippine Marine Raul Caldez kisses his son Ryan Jacob before he boards BRP Dagupan City for Palawan. The Navy is sending the 12th Marine Battalion to the south to augment military forces in the Western Command's area of responsibility and to sustain the military's operational thrust in Palawan.