AFP CHIEF GENERAL HERMOGENES C. ESPERON, JR.,

AWARDED ORDER OF GALLANTRY BY KING OF MALAYSIA

25 January 2008 – Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Victoriano M. Lecaros reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that General Hermogenes C. Esperon Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, was conferred the Order of Gallantry and Military Service Award or the Darjah Panglima Gagah Angakatan Tentera (Knight Grand Commander-Honorary) by His Majesty Al-Wathiqu Billah Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah, The Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) XIII, in Kuala Lumpur on 15 January 2008. 

Ambassador Lecaros, who attended the solemn conferment ceremony at the Istana Negara (National Palace), said the award is in recognition of General Esperon’s meritorious service and contribution to promoting defense cooperation between the Philippines and Malaysia.  General Esperon is the first Filipino military officer to be given this prestigious award.

The award is one of the decorations of the Royal Malaysian Armed Forces and is given to the highest ranking officers of the Malaysian Army, the Chiefs of the Royal Malaysian Navy and the Royal Malaysian Air Force.  The award is also given to foreign generals, admirals, and air marshals.

Founded by King Abu Bakar Ri’syst ud-din Shjah al-Musta’in on 16 September 1983, the award is given in recognition of acts of heroism or exceptional services in the armed forces in five classes:  (1) Panglima Gagah (PGAT) [Knight Grand Commander]; (2) Panglima Setia (PSAT) [Knight Commander]; (3) Pahlawan (PAT) [Commander]; (4) Ksatriya (KAT) [Officer]; and, (5) Bentara (BAT) [Member].   END.

/wingret