Shadow

Negrense war hero honored in La Castellana

Dolly Yasa photo

Armed Forces chief Gen. Cirilito Sobejana led the unveiling of a bust in honor of a Negrense war hero at the Cabacungan Elementary School in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, Thursday morning, May 13.

Honored was 1Lt. Lolinato To-ong Sr., a posthumous recipient of the Medal of Valor, the Philippines’ highest military award for courage.

To-ong, a member of 39th Marine Company, was killed during an assault on heavily fortified bunkers of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front while providing suppressive fire to cover the medical evacuation of wounded fellow Marine personnel on April 30, 2000.

Sobejana, who called To-ong a modern-day hero, said his sacrifice amidst the intense firefight against the MILF rebels prevented the enemies’ advance that saved the lives of his comrades.

“It is through the selflessness and fearless dedication of men like 1Lt. To-ong that the Armed Forces of the Philippines continues to attain notable accomplishments in fulfilling its mandate of bringing and securing the peace for the people in our communities”, he said.

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the unveiling of To-ong’s bust “is our way of immortalizing his valor and heroism , both for the present and future generations.”

“Let us honor 1Lt. To-ong’s sacrifice by giving back in gratitude, not in words, but through our actions, by being conscientious, active and responsive members of the community and society,” he added.

The governor stressed the need to make the present generation understand “that history is not just come stories of the past, that our history was marked by sacrifices of real people just like us.”

In gratitude to To-ong for his bravery and heroism the La Castellana municipal government is honoring him at the elementary school of his birthplace, Mayor Rhumyla Mangilimutan said.

“On behalf of the people of La Castellana, I am very proud that a La Castelleño is acknowledged in the Hall of Heroes as the recipient of this medal of valor,” she added

Fr. Ludovico Grandecila To-ong said their family sees the medal of valor award given to his brother “not only as a great honor and pride, but a big challenge and responsibility to keep as well.”

“We need honorable and heroic people for the good of our land,” he said.*

Secured By miniOrangeSecured By miniOrange