Medal for Valor

I mourn with the families and loved ones of our airmen, soldiers and civilians who lost their lives in the crash of the PAF C-130 transport plane in Patikul, Sulu. Our thoughts and prayers are also for the injured. May the Almighty comfort them in their sufferings. I will not speculate on the immediate cause of the tragedy. The experts are on the job. But let me suggest that frequent changes of command (revolving doors) at chief of staff and major service command levels are not conducive to stability and continuity of policies and programs including training and safety directives that are being implemented in the organization.

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France has its Legion of Honor, England the Victoria Cross, and Germany the Iron Cross. All are awarded in recognition of the heroism and exemplary military service rendered by their individual soldiers. In the Philippines, the Medal for Valor (MFV), the nation’s highest military decoration is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for singular acts of bravery and self-sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty. The deed of gallantry must have been performed under actual armed conflict with the enemy in which he conspicuously and clearly distinguished himself apart from his comrades. Enlisted personnel who receive the award are automatically promoted to the next higher rank and may be considered for commissioning as an officer. Their sons who meet the age requirement may be admitted to the Philippine Military Academy without taking the written entrance exams. They all receive a substantial lifetime allowance. As of this date, we have 41 MFV awardees: 26 from the Army, nine from the Navy, and three each from the Air Force and Constabulary.

In January 1991, a young PMA graduate, Class of 1988, Army 2nd Lt. Bartolome O. Bacarro, was serving as commanding officer of the 6th CAFGU Active Auxiliary Company, 21st Infantry Battalion, 5th Infantry Division, in Maconacon, Isabela. On Jan. 26, 1991, the town was attacked by 150 fully-armed communist terrorists (CT). In spite of the overwhelming strength of the enemy, and without air or artillery fire support, Bacarro led his outnumbered forces in confronting the dissidents, inflicting heavy casualties on the CTs. His display of courage even when wounded in the left thigh, inspired and motivated his men to fight courageously. Under his leadership, the auxiliaries fought back, denying the enemy their objective of taking over control of the town. His gallant efforts resulted in the killing of 16 CTs and the wounding of several more.

For his “conspicuous courage, gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty,” Lt. Bartolome Bacarro was honored with the Medal for Valor. Bacarro is one of the youngest if not the youngest officer to receive this prestigious award.

After his stint with the 5th Infantry Division, Bacarro served with the AFP Northern Luzon Command before moving up to GHQ, AFP. From here he was deployed to Iraq with the United Nations. Upon his return, he was assigned at Southcom in Mindanao as assistant chief of staff for civil military operations. He was later designated as a battalion commander with the 1st Infantry Battalion and then, Commander of the 502nd Infantry Brigade, 5th Infantry Division. He is a graduate of the Combined Strategic Intelligence Program in Washington, DC, and the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

In 2019, Brig. General Bacarro assumed office as Commandant of Cadets at the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City. The death of a 4th Class cadet due to hazing led to his relief along with the Superintendent, Lt. General Ronnie Evangelista, both for command responsibility. They were also charged with violation of the anti-hazing law. For some time, Bacarro was out in the cold as an investigation on the case proceeded. In July 2020, the Baguio City Prosecutor dismissed the cases against Evangelista and Bacarro for lack of probable cause.

General Bacarro is currently head of the 2nd Infantry Division based in Tanay, Rizal. He is scheduled to take over as commander of the Southern Luzon Command in Legazpi City. While the hazing incident at the PMA may have negatively affected his military career, his earlier actions that merited a Medal for Valor, provide enough grounds to support his new assignment.

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