17 May 2006 — Philippine Ambassador to Dili, Timor-Leste Farita A. Aguilucho-Ong  reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that a Filipino Scout Ranger was among 14 UN Military Training Advisors who were awarded United Nations Special Services Medals on 13 May 2006 for their work in preserving peace in Timor-Leste.

Ambassador Aguilucho-Ong said that Lt. Col. Ferdinand Flores Quidilla of the Philippine Army and a native of Banga, South Cotabato was given the award by UN Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) Dr. Sukehiro Hasegawa in a simple ceremony witnessed by Vice Consul Ariz Severino V. Convalecer at the UN Military Training Advisory Group (UNMTAG-UNOTIL) Headquarters, Obrigado Barracks in Dili.

The Ambassador said that SRSG Hasegawa paid tribute to the awardees by underscoring “the importance placed by the UN Security Council on the country as a success story in peacekeeping operations.”  SRSG Hasegawa likewise expressed confidence that “the present uncertainties in the security situation in Timor-Leste would soon be resolved.”

After the ceremony, Vice Consul Convalecer conveyed the Embassy’s congratulations to Lt. Col. Quidilla and to his fellow awardees.  UN Senior Military Advisor Col. Fernando Reis of Portugal, who was also an awardee, approached Vice Consul Convalecer and lauded Col. Quidilla’s professionalism and devotion to duty.

Ambassador Aguilucho-Ong said that the other awardees came from Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Portugal.  END