Army commemorates the 68th Korean War Anniversary

26 jun 18 PEFTOK cover

FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – Major General Robert M. Arevalo, Vice Commander Philippine Army, hosted the Wreath Laying Ceremony in connection with the 68th Anniversary of Korean War with His Excellency Han, Dong-man, Ambassador, Republic of Korea (ROK) as Guest of Honor and Speaker held here today, June 25 2018, at Korean War Memorial Pylon, Libingan Ng Mga Bayani, Metro Manila.

Today marks the 68th years of Korean War that broke up in Korean Peninsula wherein 75,000 troops of North Korea poured across the 38th parallel pushing into South Korea. The epic bravery of the 7,420 gallant and courageous Filipino Soldiers to composed the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) being the first to heed the United Nations call to lend a helping hand to our Korean brethren during the time when their hopes, lives and freedom were put into peril.

Retired Army Colonel Sixto Belen, President of PEFTOK Veterans Association Incorporated, recalled that despite of limited resources PEFTOK still managed to give its commitment and outmost contribution to save the lives of a friend in a foreign land battling not only the fierce of a gun and cannons but homesickness, language disparity and the harsh Korean winter unfamiliar to Filipinos.

ROK then is losing millions of lives in a war not on his own making. The enduring friendship written in blood along with 20 allied countries raises the image of the Philippines to a high moral ground that serves as the bedrock of our external relations.

Lt. Gen. Ernesto G. Carolina, Retired, Undersecretary of Philippine Veterans Affairs, (PVAO) Department of National Defense (DND) said that in the chronicles of military history, PEFTOK has proven its valor and gallantry and undying commitment as warriors for peace. The most notable Battle in Yuldong and the Battle of Hill Eerie cost the lives of 50 Filipino soldiers, 15 were declared missing and at least 128 were wounded.

His Excellency Han Dong-Man, Ambassador of ROK to the Philippines, for his part said that, “the PEFTOK deserve the title of Heroes, because without their sweat, blood and tears Republic of Korea will not be enjoying the peace, democracy and economic prosperity that it has today.

As a token of ROK appreciation, the Ambassador granted scholarships to 187 PEFTOK beneficiaries composed of 40 from the elementary, 100 in high school and 47 in college.

Major General Arevalo, in his message said, “the PEFTOK heroism will never be forgotten and our generation shall be inspired by the bravery and heroism of our veterans that is worth emulating for the youth and the new breed of soldiers who work for peace in the country side”.#