COLONEL EDGAR LISING CATU GSC (INF) PA is a proud member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) MARILAG Class of 1995. He was a recipient of an academic award (Magna Cum Laude), and graduated number 5 in his class. He is a full-blooded Kapampangan, and was born and raised in Sto. Rosario, Mexico, Pampanga on 03 February 1972. He finished his elementary education at the Sto. Rosario Central School graduating as Salutatorian while completed his secondary education as Valedictorian at St. Joseph’s Academy (SJA), Mexico, Pampanga.
He tried not to pursue his childhood dream of becoming a soldier since his parents did not allow him to do so. But with God’s providence, he took the Philippine Military Academy Entrance Examination (PMAEE) in August of 1990 while enrolled as 2nd year student of Computer Engineering. During that time, he was a scholar at the Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT), Intramuros, Manila. That day marked the start of his military career. As a testament to his quest for academic excellence and dedication to each task given to him, he was the first “Star Man” awardee of his class in PMA.
It was not long after graduation from PMA in 1995 that COL CATU contributed to the campaign of the government against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as a Platoon Leader of Charlie Company, and eventually as Company Commander of Alpha Company of 11th Infantry Battalion, SPEARHEAD Division (11IB, 3ID, PA) which saw action in Central Mindanao from 1995 to 2000 and then against the communist insurgents in Panay and Negros Island in the Visayas region.
To improve and further develop his leadership and management skills, he took up several military career and specialization courses as well as civilian courses locally and abroad. Some of his military schoolings were Infantry Officer Basic Course graduating as number 3, Intelligence Officer Basic Course graduating as number 3, Military Scuba Diving, Site and Document Exploitation Course, Defense Intelligence and Research Course, Civil Military Operations Course, Psychological Operations Course, United Nation Observer Course, and Infantry Officer Advance Course graduating as number 1. He was a graduate of International Intelligence Officer Advance Course at the United State Intelligence Center at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona graduating as number 1 among the international students.
Among his civilian schoolings include Masters in Public Administration at the Mindanao State University, Marawi City, doing Qualitative Research at University of the Philippines, Baguio City. He also completed his trainer’s training for Bridging Leadership at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), Makati City. In addition, he completed his Master of Peace and Conflict Studies at the Sydney University in Australia in 2013.
Moreover, he also occupied several positions in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. These include Intelligence and Operations Officers of 301st Bde; Research and Doctrine Officer of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, G2, PA; Research and Doctrine Officer, The Intelligence School (TIS), Intelligence Security Group (ISG); Head of the Department of Leadership, PMA Senior Tactical Officer (STO), PMA; and Chief of the Operations Center (AOC, PA) before taking up the AFPCGSC Class 61.
In recognition to his hard work and dedication to duty, he was a recipient of numerous awards and decorations as well as several commendations and recognitions from the military and civilian organizations. These include Gold Cross Medal, Bronze Cross Medals, Gawad sa Kaunlaran, Silver Wing Medals, Long Service Medals, Military Merit Medals and numerous Military Commendation Medals among others. He was also chosen as one of the Outstanding Mexicano in his hometown.
Furthermore, he is athletic, and engaged himself so much in sports. He plays basketball and golf but is most known for his love for long distance run that he was able to complete several full marathon and ultra-marathon local and abroad. Foremost among these were the Sydney Marathon in Sydney, Australia; and the North Face Ultra Marathon Challenge in Baguio City. With his enthusiasm to physical fitness, he was awarded with Physical Fitness Proficiency Award during his Infantry Officer Basic Course, and Physical Fitness Proficiency Award and Athletic Excellence Award during his CGSC in 2016.
While very much engaged in extra curriculars, he was also involved in various sociological endeavor. He and his wife were life time member of The Gideons International, and are both volunteer teachers of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) in Mindanao.
Prior to his designation as Chief of Staff, 6ID, he was the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, G3 from 11 March 2019 to 19 April 2022. For that more than three (3) years as G3, he led the planning of various Focused Military Operations with 20 Division operations, and thousands of minor and major operations within Joint Task Force Central. He was also the one behind the numerous ConPlans, Campaign Plans/ImPlans, OPORDs and OPlans, SecPlans, and FragOs in the joint area of operations and other various initiatives that were instrumental in various accomplishments of the command which hailed the 6ID as the Best Division of the Philippine Army for eight (8) consecutive years.
COLONEL CATU is happily married to the former Nova Nyx Ecstasy “Ging” Gumana, a daughter of the Former Governor of Sultan Kudarat Province. He has no biological children but so much blessed with lovable nephew and nieces. Presently, he lived with his son and daughter, Biboy and Bubbles.
