Taguig soldiers bag Outstanding Philippine Soldiers award

Two officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) who hail from Taguig City, were honored as among the winners of the 2013 Search for The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS).

 Mayor Lani Cayetano extended her congratulations to Colonel Romeo S. Brawner Jr. and Major Daneck E. Dang-awan for being recognized as “outstanding examples of gallantry, dedication, professionalism and integrity” among the members of AFP last September 5 by the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. and Rotary Club of Makati Metro.

 “Taguig really has no shortage of achievers as can be gleaned from the recent awards received by Col. Brawner and Maj. Dang-awan. Their dedication, integrity and love for the people is beyond outstanding and is much-commended here in Taguig,” Mayor Lani said.

 “I am proud of these two Taguigenos and I hope everyone in our city emulates their dedication to their chosen profession,” she added.

 Competent Officer

 Col. Brawner is from the Philippine Army and won in the award’s Commissioned Officer Category. He has been serving in the AFP for 24 years.

 During his stint as an Army officer, Brawner made a name for himself in the organization by being a role model and an able commander of those serving under him. His achievements include fighting the communist insurgency in Mindanao, capturing the biggest drug pusher in Bohol, and leading his men during the rescue operations in Cabanatuan City when it was hit with a killer earthquake in 1990.

 Brawner also co-developed the “Prosperity Team Concept” for the prevention of insurgency in Bohol. The project was then adapted by General Headquarters for the whole AFP. He also launched the Organic Backyard Garden and Farm at the various camps and detachments of the Philippine Army in the same province.

 Spiritual Champion

 Meanwhile, Dang-awan is serving as an Evangelical Chaplain in Naval Inter-Faith Worship Center, Naval Station Jose Francisco, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City and is currently 13 years in the service.

 He encouraged the congregation and leaders of five other churches in Cagayan De Oro into ministering to the street children of the city which eventually led to the Mindanao Street Children Ministry. This helped the street children to study and avoid illegal drugs and crime-related activities from the streets.

 He always initiated a Church Children’s Ministry wherever he was assigned. He was also able to renovate the chaplain’s office and parsonage without government expense.

 Dang-awan was also instrumental in the inclusion in the Annual Distribution of Bibles to graduating cadets and the distribution of Qu’ran to Muslim cadets to contribute to the spiritual and moral grounding of the cadets in their training.

 The two soldiers will join the elite roster of the outstanding soldiers in the country.

 “These are people that should inspire not only those in the AFP but all Taguigenos to live well and do well in their own communities,” Mayor Lani said. ###

  FILIPINO VERSION:

Mga sundalong taga-Taguig, pinarangalan

 Dalawang opisyal ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) na taga-Taguig ang hinirang na kabilang sa 2013 The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS) na iginawad ng Metrobank Foundation, Inc. at ng Rotary Club of Makati Metro nitong nakaraang linggo.

 Isa si Mayor Lani Cayetano sa mga unang bumati kay Colonel Romeo S. Brawner Jr. at Major Daneck E. Dang-awan dahil sa pagiging magandang mga halimbawa nito bilang sundalo sa AFP.

 “Talagang marami tayong achievers dito sa Taguig, patunay ng mga karangalang natanggap nina Col. Brawner at Maj. Dang-awan. Ang dedikasyon nila sa kanilang propesyon, integridad at pagmamahal sa kapwa tao ay aming pinapapurihan dito sa Taguig,” ani Mayor Lani.

 “Proud ako sa dalawang Taguigeñong ito at sana ay tularan sila ng ating mga kababayan.”

 Magaling na lider

 Si Col. Brawner ay miyembro ng Philippine Army at nanalo sa Commissioned Officer Category ng patimpalak. Siya ay lagpas 24 taon nang nagsisilbi sa AFP.

 Bilang isang Army officer, naging kilala si Brawner bilang isang role model at magaling na lider sa kanyang mga tauhan. Ang ilan lang sa kanyang mga nagawa ay ang paglaban sa mga element ng communist insurgency sa Mindanao, paghuli sa pinakamalaking drug pusher sa Bohol, at pamumuno sa pagliligtas ng mga tao na apektado ng malakas na paglindol sa Cabanatuan City noong 1990.

 Kampeon ng pananampalataya

 Samantala, si Dang-awan naman ay naninilbihan bilang Evangelical Chaplain sa Naval Inter-Faith Worship Center, Naval Station Jose Francisco, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City at kasalukuyang nasa 13 taon na serbisyo.

 Pinamunuan niya ang pagtulong ng kanyang kongregasyon at lima pang simbahan sa mga batang lansangan sa Cagayan de Oro City na kalaunan ay naging Mindanao Street Children Ministry. Nakatulong ito sa mga naturang kabataan na mag-aral at iwasan ang iligal na droga at krimen sa lungsod.

 Malaki din ang papel ni Dang-awan sa pagbibigay ng mga Bibliya sa mga kadete ng AFP at Qu’ran sa mga muslim na sundalo upang mapalalim ang kanilang mga pananampalataya.

 “Ang dalawang magigiting na sundalong ito ay nagsisilbing inspirasyon hindi lang sa AFP kundi sa lahat ng mga Taguigeno na mabuhay at gumawa ng mabuti,” dagdag ni Mayor Lani.