KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) -- The 80th Araw ng Kagitingan commemoration event on Saturday, April 9, in Koronadal City was honored with the presence of two World War II veterans and a Medal of Valor awardee.
Honored guests during the Araw ng Kagitingan program at the Koronadal City Hall lobby were world war veterans Alfonso S. Pamplona and Dominador R. Vallejos and post-WWII Medal of Valor Awardee Retired Major Bienvenido V. Fajemolin.
According to retired Col. Francisco Millare, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office - Field Service Extension Office (PVAO-FSEO) 12 regional head said Pamplona served under the United States Armed Forces in the Far East during the Second World War. Pamplona, who turned 100 years old on November 29, 2021, now lives in Tupi, South Cotabato.
Vallejos, 96, was a recognized guerrilla in the WW II. Vallejos' grandchild told Philippine Information Agency that her grandfather fought in Northern Luzon, particularly in the area of Tarlac. He now lives in President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat.
Post- World War II veteran Fajemolin was awarded Medal of Valor, the Philippines' highest military award for courage, in 1980.
Famejolin was serving as platoon sergeant of 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company, 36th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division Philippine Army in Kawit-Kawit, Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte when his company headquarters was attacked by approximately 500 insurgents on October 18, 1977. With his officials on official business, then Private First Class Fajemolin assumed command of the whole company and defended their position until the attackers withdrew.
In an interview in PIA 12's online and radio program Performing and Informing, Millare revealed that PVAO-FSEO 12 has in its list seven living World War II veterans.
Besides Pamplona and Vallejos, the other WW II veterans in Soccsksargen Region are Fernando S. Algas Jr., 95, of General Santos City; Jose Q. Enrijo, 96, Koronadal City; Mariano C. Labio, 102, Midsayap, Cotabato Province; Marcelo C. Ortigoza, 93, M'lang, Cotabato Province; and Rafael P. Palmes, 98, Tulunan, Cotabato Province.
