Медаль Доблести Филиппин

Military honor awarded by the Philippine government

The Medal of Valor (Filipino: Medalya ng Kagitingan) is the Armed Forces of the Philippines' highest military honor awarded for a conspicuous deed of personal bravery or self sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty that distinguishes the recipient from his comrades. It is defined in the Philippine Army Awards and Decorations reference material FC 1–0062, itself adapted from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Awards and Decorations Handbook, Second Edition published in 1997, as an award for "heroism in combat" and is foremost in the order of precedence of awards and decorations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The Medal of Valor is held in such high regard that the President is required to salute the medal and the individual wearing it. Under Philippine Republic Act No. 9049, a Medal of Valor awardee is entitled to lifetime monthly gratuity of ₱20,000 that is separate and distinct from any salary or pension the awardee is receiving or will receive from the government. The amount of this monthly gratuity was increased to ₱75,000 in 2016 by President Rodrigo Duterte.

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. However, other official Philippine government sources refer to it as the "Medal of Valor".

The sea lion represents the Office of the President of the Philippines. The eight rayed sun represents the eight Philippine provinces that revolted against Spain. The blue ripples represent the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The crossed swords represent conflict with the enemy in defense of the nation; the three stars represent Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, the three island groups of the Philippines, while the sampaguita wreath symbolizes the highest honor for courage and gallantry. The red coloration signifies bravery. Buan retired from active service in 2018. 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. The Hall of Valor at the Philippine Military Academy also showcases the portraits of PMA Medal of Valor recipients.

Image Name Rank Place and date of action Unit Year awarded StatusNotesMajor GeneralBayang Cotta, Lanao del Sur26 July 1917Philippine Constabulary1935Deceased<small>"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. ""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. "Master SergeantCalauan, LagunaThird LieutenantBataan22 26 January 1942United States Army Forces in the Far East1958DeceasedMarcos 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:<small>" 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. "Private First ClassCamp Aguinaldo, Quezon City3 December 1989—1990Living<small>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. CorporalClaver, Surigao del Norte18 March 19911st Scout Ranger Regiment1991Deceased<small>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. Second LieutenantMountain Province10 April 199224th Infantry Battalion1992Killed in action<small>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. "Staff SergeantTandag, Surigao del Sur20 October 1991CAFGU Active Auxiliary Salvacion Patrol Base, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 29th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division1992Living<small>"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. "CaptainCarmen, Cotabato19966th Scout Ranger Company2000Killed in action<small>"While defending the government's infrastructure project in the area, Lucero paid the ultimate sacrifice but showed the finest traditions of Filipino soldiery. "Staff SergeantBasilan30 April 20001st Scout Ranger Battalion2000Living<small>Curig was awarded for his actions in the same operation in which his CO Herbert Dilag received his. Lieutenant ColonelLantawan, Basilan8 April 20041st Scout Ranger Battalion2004Living<small>"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. "Staff SergeantBasilan8 April 20041st Scout Ranger Battalion2004Living<small>"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. "Private First ClassZamboanga City24 September 20133rd Scout Ranger Company2014Killed in action<small>"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. "CaptainMarawi City10 September 201711th Scout Ranger Company2017Killed 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. "—Tomas Campo Jr. Lieutenant ColonelKauswagan, Lanao del Norte18 19 March 2000Marine Battalion Landing Team 12001Living<small>" inspired courage in his men with his daring maneuvers, unmindful of his own safety, moving positions and drawing fire towards himself with the end of pinpointing where the enemy fire was coming from. ""Under his inspiring leadership, his men fought ferociously forcing the enemy's last line of defense to collapse and sending them scampering to different directions along with their dead and wounded and leaving behind their vaunted rocket launchers and high powered firearms as well as documents of high intelligence value. "CorporalKauswagan, Lanao del Norte3 April 2000Team 1, 61st Marine Company, Force Reconnaissance Battalion2001Died from wounds<small>Narag, serving as radioman for his team during an operation, spied on a Moro rebel camp but was detected and shot at by enemy snipers. Wounded, he nevertheless radioed coordinates for artillery support and airstrikes. "An estimated 200 Moro fighters were then at the rebel camp. If not for Narag's efforts, the 18 other Marines in his team would have just fallen into a trap. "CorporalMarawi City, June 9, 2017MBLT 52021Killed in action"Private First Class Tinangag along with three (3) other Marines volunteered to evacuate the wounded and killed troops to the Casualty Collection Point (CCP). After numerous trips of evacuating the wounded and killed troops from the engagement area to CCP under the hail of enemy fires, the rest of the team of Pfc Tinangag decided to sought cover and rest as they were too exhausted from carrying wounded and killed in action including their weapons and ammunition to the CCP. Disregarding his own safety and acting without orders, Pfc Tinangag stealthily maneuvered and crawled through the rubbles to get close to the casualties while fearlessly and repeatedly exposing himself from the enemies' line of fire. Without hesitation, Pfc Tinangag moved forward even through the hail of grenades and heavy machine gun fires making four more separate trips to rescue four (4) wounded Marines Pfc Tinangag selflessly and single handedly saved the lives of four (40 Marines and extricated one (1) KIA in exchange of his own life."

Image Name Rank Place and date of action Unit Year awarded StatusNotesMajorSangley Air Station1 December 19896th Tactical Fighter Squadron1990Killed in actionMajor 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. —Ludegario BactolA2CCamp Aguinaldo, Quezon CityDecember 1989Provisional Rifle Company, Security and Escort Group, GHQ & HSC, AFP1990DeceasedBactol was an airman defending Camp Aguinaldo during the 1989 Philippine coup attempt. He fired on the leading rebel LVT 6 armore0d 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 Baloyo1st LieutenantMabalacat, Pampanga26 March 200115th Strike Wing, Philippine Air Force4 April 2001DeceasedOn 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.

Image Name Rank Place and date of action Unit Year awarded StatusNotesDouglas MacArthurGeneral of the ArmyPhilippine IslandsOctober 1944 to March 1945South West Pacific Area20 October 1944DeceasedGeneral 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 M. Wainwright (general)GeneralPhilippine IslandsOctober 1944 to March 1945South West Pacific Area1 May 1947DeceasedGeneral 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.

The official number of Philippine Medal of Valor recipients is currently given as forty one (41).