Armed Forces of the Philippines Medal of Valor

The medal is described as a disc adorned with a golden sea-lion in relief holding the eight-rayed Philippine sun, and water waves composed of five blue ripples. The disk rests on a red cross with golden borders and crossed golden swords. The top-most flange of the cross contains three golden stars in a triangular pattern. A golden bar embossed with the phrase "For Valor" connects the medal to a Sampaguita wreath consisting of ten white buds and twenty-two green leaves. The wreath serves as a link to the neck ribbon, which is crimson with eight golden stars arranged horizontally forming two parallel lines. The service ribbon, worn in lieu of the medal itself, is similarly crimson with eight golden stars arranged horizontally forming two parallel lines, five stars on the top line and three on the bottom.[1]

The phrase For Valor embossed on the bar has led some sources to call the medal the "Medal for Valor", and the Philippine Army itself refers to it this way.[9] However, other official Philippine government sources refer to it as the "Medal of Valor".[10]

The Medal of Valor recipient, his widow, or her dependents are privileged to receive preferential treatment when applying for government work, public housing, loans not exceeding ₱500,000, and lease or acquisition of public land.

In addition, they are exempt from tuition fees in public and private schools and other institutions of learning. Children of the recipient who wish to attend the Philippine Military Academy, if qualified, receive priority for commission into the Armed Forces of the Philippines upon graduation. They also receive free medication from both public and private hospitals.

Other privileges include a 20% discount on hotel bills, transportation services, restaurants, theaters, carnivals, and when purchasing pharmaceutical drugs. Government entities or private companies who deny the recipient these privileges are penalized with up to six years imprisonment and a fine not exceeding ₱300,000.

There have been 41 Medal of Valor recipients since 1935. Of these recipients, 17 are living. As of 2017, five of them were in active service: Cirilito Sobejana, Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, Noel Buan, Herbert Dilag and Custodio Parcon.[11] Buan retired from active service in 2018.[12]

The portraits of Medal of Valor recipients are displayed in the Hall of Heroes at Camp Aguinaldo, headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Quezon City.[13] The Hall of Valor at the Philippine Military Academy also showcases the portraits of PMA Medal of Valor recipients.[14]

Philippine Army

Image	Name	Rank	Place and date of action	Unit	Year awarded	Status	Notes[2]
	Paulino Santos[15][16]	Major General	Bayang Cotta, Lanao del Sur 26 July 1917	Philippine Constabulary	1935	Deceased	"He and his men engaged its defenders in a bloody hand-to-hand combat, killing 30 of them, and thus preserving the lives of government soldiers."[17] "In this gallant act, one PC soldier was killed while five others were wounded. Lieutenant Santos sustained a near-fatal gunshot (wound) at the back of the head."[16]
	Emigdio C. Cruz[16]	Lieutenant Colonel	Japanese-occupied Philippines 3 May 1943 to 28 February 1944	Philippine Commonwealth Army, in active service in the United States Army	1944	Deceased	"Major Cruz volunteered for the hazardous mission of entering the Philippines and obtaining information there of the great importance to the Government of the Commonwealth and the Southwest Pacific Command. His capture by the enemy would have meant torture and certain death."[16]
	Mariano Castañeda[16]	Major General	Plaza Miranda, Manila 10 March 1947	Philippine Constabulary	1950	Deceased	"His presence of mind and display of exemplary courage and bravery in the timely disposal of the lethal grenade saved the life of the First President of the Philippines (Manuel Roxas) and those of his family and other higher ranking officials of the Republic, who at that moment, were all with him on the platform."[16]
	Conrado Yap[16]	Captain	Yeoncheon County, South Korea (Battle of Yultong) 22-23 April 1951	10th Battalion Combat Team, Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea	1951	Killed in action	"He succeeded in recovering the body of Lieutenant Artiaga and that of three (3) other enlisted men when not being satisfied with this and acting above and beyond the call of duty, he proceeded to assault an enemy emplacement about 300 yards away despite the hail of enemy fires until he fell dead from an enemy bullet."[16]
	Francisco Camacho Sr.[18]	Master Sergeant	Calauan, Laguna[16] 20 December 1955	1st Scout Ranger Regiment	1955	Died of wounds	"... awarded the Medal of Valor after a successful combat mission behind enemy lines which killed a notorious Hukbalahap leader."[18] "At a pre-arranged signal they immediately opened fire on the Huks and, with concentrated fire, they were able to kill Commander Villapando, Commander Gueverra and one Huk bodyguard. One of the Huks shot back, hitting Master Sergeant Camacho, who died soon afterwards."[16]
—	Weene Martillana[18]	Corporal	Calauan, Laguna[16] 20 December 1955	1st Scout Ranger Regiment	1955	Deceased	"... awarded the Medal of Valor after a successful combat mission behind enemy lines which killed a notorious Hukbalahap leader."[18] "Master Sergeant Camacho together with Corporal Martillana, ... posed as civilians and befriended Eddie Villapando, notorious Huk Commander who terrorized Cavite and Batangas for many years. With Master Sergeant Camacho as leader, these enlisted men, after establishing contact with Villapando in September 1955, skillfully and at great risk to themselves, won the confidence of Villapando and his bodyguards."[16]
	Ferdinand Marcos[2][19][20][21]	Third Lieutenant	Bataan 22-26 January 1942	United States Army Forces in the Far East	1958	Deceased	Marcos had claimed to be the recipient of 300 war medals, a controversial claim due to his contentious war history. The official reason given for Marcos' conferment of the Medal of Valor was reportedly for his: "... prevention of the possible decimation of withdrawing USAFFE troops in a 'suicidal action against overwhelming enemy forces', thus helping delay the inevitable fall of Bataan."[19]
—	Miguel Pastolero[16]	Staff Sergeant	Libacao, Capiz 26 October 1951	Military Intelligence Service	1964	Killed in action	"Staff Sergeant Pastolero was able to empty his magazine before he expired and in his dying moments accounted for eight (8) HMBs out of the twenty two (22) dissidents killed during the melee. His coolness under fire, his indomitable courage, his fortitude and his fighting spirit are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the Philippines."[16]
—	Bienvenido Fajemolin[16]	Corporal	Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte 18 October 1977	3rd Platoon, Charlie Company, 36th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division	1980	Living	"Although wounded, he rallied the demoralized and badly hit group defending the headquarters, reorganized the defensive positions, and evacuated the wounded and the dead to safe areas. He held the attack for five hours until the insurgents disengaged and withdrew from the scene, with 16 killed and 10 Garand rifles and one 12-gauge shotgun lost."[16]
—	Hilario Estrella[16]	First Lieutenant	Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur 1 December 1984	Charlie Company, 33rd Infantry Battalion, 1st Infantry Division	1987	Living	"Unfazed, First Lieutenant Estrella rallied his men and the fierce fire-fight lasted seven hours until the terrorists withdrew. At the scene of the encounter, they recovered 22 bodies of dead terrorists, including 3 commanders, 12 high-powered firearms, assorted ammunition and subversive documents."[16]
—	Francisco Granfil[16]	Sergeant	Tarragona, Davao Oriental 12 February 1988	Operational Team 1103, 11th Special Forces Company, Home Defense Group (Airborne)	1989	Living	"Despite his sensing the advance of the reinforcing rebels coming from the main body, he steadfastly stood his ground and fiercely fought with automatic fires and grenade launchers, while interchangeably operating the 60 millimeter mortar until the enemy withdrew, leaving behind 37 terrorists killed and several others wounded. This conspicuous and heroic act of Sergeant Granfil prevented the complete annihilation of the beleaguered troops, the saving of many lives and prevented the loss of government properties."[16]
—	Robert Salvador[22]	Private First Class	Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City 3 December 1989	—	1990	Living	Salvador was one of the soldiers defending Camp Aguinaldo during the 1989 Philippine coup attempt. When rebel armored personnel carriers rammed the camp's gate, Salvador fired on the vehicles with a 90mm recoilless rifle, killing several crewmen inside. One of those killed turned out to be Salvador's brother, Rogelio.[22]
	Arturo B. Ortiz[14]	Captain	Murcia, Negros Occidental 6 April 1990	606th Special Forces Company	1990	Living	"The two-hour gun battle resulted in 84 terrorists killed with 22 dead bodies counted, including 17 recovered on site, 8 captured, and several others wounded and missing as reported by the Negros Regional Party Committee."[14]
—	Bartolome Vicente Bacarro[11]	Second Lieutenant	Isabela 1991	6th CAFGU Active Auxiliary Company, 21st Infantry Battalion	1991	Living	"He executed a systematic attack through proper maneuvers and strict adherence to fire discipline by firing only at sure enemy targets to conserve their ammunition and spare the civilians from being caught in the crossfire."[11]
—	Romualdo Rubi[23]	Corporal	Claver, Surigao del Norte 18 March 1991	1st Scout Ranger Regiment	1991	Deceased	Rubi single-handedly fought 100 New People's Army guerrillas, killing 26 after a three-hour firefight. He was armed with an M16 rifle with about 200 rounds of ammunition and two grenades.[23]
—	Jose Bandong Jr.[24]	Second Lieutenant	Mountain Province 10 April 1992	24th Infantry Battalion	1992	Killed in action	Bandong's platoon was overwhelmed by New People's Army guerrillas during a 9-hour firefight. Volunteering to stay behind while his men withdrew, Bandong's last call was for artillery to "Fire on my location." "By this display of heroism Second Lieutenant Jose Bandong Jr upheld the highest virtue of military leadership and professionalism, thus earning distinct credit for himself and the Armed Forces of the Philippines."[24]
—	Roy Cuenca[25]	Staff Sergeant	Tandag, Surigao del Sur 20 October 1991	CAFGU Active Auxiliary Salvacion Patrol Base, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 29th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division	1992	Living	"With his valiant and resolute chivalry and unnerving audacity, Staff Sergeant Cuenca repeatedly repulsed and subdued the enemy's continued attempts to overrun their detachment. Although outnumbered, Staff Sergeant Cuenca was able to hold his ground for almost three hours of heavy firefight with the enemy."[25]
—	Cirilito Sobejana[11]	Captain	Isabela, Basilan 13 January 1995	1st Scout Ranger Regiment	1996	Living	"He repeatedly maneuvered around, exposing himself to enemy fire to direct the battle and operate the radio."[11]
—	Robert Edward Lucero[18][26]	Captain	Carmen, Cotabato 1996	6th Scout Ranger Company	2000	Killed in action	"While defending the government's infrastructure project in the area, Lucero paid the ultimate sacrifice but showed the finest traditions of Filipino soldiery."[18]
—	Herbert Dilag[11]	Second Lieutenant	Basilan 30 April 2000	1st Scout Ranger Battalion	2000	Living	"Uncertain of what will happen to them, the members of the Squads, left their valuables to their supporting comrades to be further given to their loved ones, in anticipation of their deaths."[11]
—	Claudio Forrosuelo[23]	Sergeant	Matanog, Maguindanao 3 May 2000	8th Scout Ranger Company, 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion	2000	Killed in action	Forrosuelo volunteered to stay behind as a delaying force, inspiring five other soldiers to do the same in an act of self-sacrifice to allow the rest of his unit to re-position at a more advantageous location after being engaged in a firefight with 500-600 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that lasted four hours.[23]
—	Lucio Curig[27][28]	Staff Sergeant	Basilan 30 April 2000	1st Scout Ranger Battalion	2000	Living	Curig was awarded for his actions in the same operation in which his CO Herbert Dilag received his.[28] "SSgt Curig and 13 other Rangers volunteered for and organized a "suicide squad" to execute the final assault. Thoroughly exhausted yet unmindful of losing their lives, they rushed towards the enemy's fortified defenses and carried out an intense bunker-to-bunker close (quarter) battle."[27]
	Noel S. Buan[29]	Lieutenant Colonel	Lantawan, Basilan 8 April 2004	1st Scout Ranger Battalion	2004	Living	"With boldness, innovative guerrilla techniques, and a resolve to accomplish the mission, he and his men were able to close in, and dealt with the enemies face to face. "... showed unfaltering will power which inspired his men to fight aggressively, eventually resulting in the successful neutralization of 7 terrorists."[11]
—	Leopoldo Diokno[30]	Staff Sergeant	Basilan 8 April 2004	1st Scout Ranger Battalion	2004	Living	"Diokno assisted Noel Buan in planning the operation against the Abu Sayyaf ... voluntarily risked his life above and beyond the call of duty by allowing himself to become part of the entrapment operation to accomplish the neutralization of Hamsiraji Sali and his group."[30]
	Ian Pacquit[31]	Private First Class	Zamboanga City 24 September 2013[32]	3rd Scout Ranger Company	2014	Killed in action	"With the courage, dedication and sacrifice of Private First Class Ian Pacquit, further casualties were avoided and the neutralization of enemy firing positions greatly contributed to the clearing and capture of enemy strongholds."[31]
	Rommel Sandoval[33]	Captain	Marawi City 10 September 2017	11th Scout Ranger Company	2017	Killed in action	"Cpt. Sandoval distinguished himself in combat as he displayed extraordinary courage, bravery, sterling leadership and professionalism by offering the greatest sacrifice of giving his life to a fellow comrade, thereby keeping with the finest tradition of the Filipino soldiery."[33]

Philippine Army Air Corps and Air Force

Image	Name	Rank	Place and date of action	Unit	Year awarded	Status	Notes[2]
	Jesús A. Villamor[16]	Lieutenant Colonel	Japanese-occupied Philippines 27 December 1942 - November 1943	Allied Intelligence Bureau mission to the Philippines	1954	Deceased	"General Douglas MacArthur decided to get in touch with members of the resistance movement in the Philippines, and for this purpose he enlisted the services of Lieutenant Colonel Jesus Antonio Villamor to return to the islands. Notwithstanding the knowledge that such a mission was fought with hardships, difficulties, and risks to his own life, Lieutenant Colonel Villamor nevertheless volunteered to lead the first Allied Intelligence Bureau mission to the Philippines."[16]
—	Danilo Atienza[38]	Major	Sangley Air Station 1 December 1989[39]	6th Tactical Fighter Squadron	1990	Killed in action	Major Atienza led a trio of Northrop F-5 fighter aircraft that attacked the Sangley Air Station during the 1989 Philippine coup attempt resulting in the destruction of rebel air assets.[38] However, Atienza failed to pull out during his last bombing run and crashed. Sangley Air Station was later renamed in his honor.[40]
—	Ludegario Bactol	A2C	Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City December 1989	Provisional Rifle Company, Security and Escort Group, GHQ & HSC, AFP	1990	Deceased	Bactol was an airman defending Camp Aguinaldo during the 1989 Philippine coup attempt. He fired on the leading rebel LVT-6 armored fighting vehicle with a 90mm recoilless rifle as the Reform the Armed Forces Movement rebels attempted to enter the base, preventing the following military vehicles from pushing through the gate.
	Mary Grace Baloyo	1st Lieutenant	Mabalacat, Pampanga 26 March 2001	15th Strike Wing, Philippine Air Force	4 April 2001[41]	Deceased	On 26 March 2001, the plane Lt. Baloyo was flying, a North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco, experienced engine trouble and rapidly descended into a heavily populated area. Instead of ejecting, she chose to stay on board and diverted the plane before it crashed, thereupon killing herself.

United States Army

Image	Name	Rank	Place and date of action	Unit	Year awarded	Status	Notes[42]
	Douglas MacArthur	General of the Army	Philippine Islands October 1944 to March 1945	South West Pacific Area	20 October 1944	Deceased	General MacArthur was awarded the Philippine Armed Forces Medal of Valor in October 1944 in recognition of his leadership in liberating the Philippines from the Japanese Army.
	Jonathan Wainwright	General	Philippine Islands October 1944 to March 1945	South West Pacific Area	1 May 1947	Deceased	General Jonathan Wainwright received the Philippine Medal of Valor in a ceremony at the Philippine Embassy by Ambassador Joaquin Elizalde on behalf of President Manuel Roxas of the Philippine Republic.[43]

1.^ The Philippine Constabulary was merged with the Integrated National Police on 29 January 1991, forming the Philippine National Police.

• The AFP Adjutant General, Awards and Decorations Handbook, 1995, 1997, OTAG.
• Decorations and Medals of the Philippines