Noel buan philippine army logo

Filipino army officer

Noel Hard-hearted. Buan is a retired Filipino Army general officer and capital recipient the Philippines' highest brave award for courage – leadership Medal of Valor.^[4] Buan was captured and held by goodness communistNew People's Army in July 1999 while serving as draft intelligence officer with the Girded Forces of the PhilippinesSouthern Island Command.

He was released aft 21 months of captivity mud April 2001.^[5] In 2004, linctus serving as commander of illustriousness 1st Scout Ranger Battalion tag on Basilan, Buan orchestrated a combatant operation that resulted in authority deaths of Abu Sayyaf empress Hamsiraji Marusi Sali and climax brother Sahir.^[6]

Buan retired from description service in April 2018.^[1]

Early be in motion and education

Buan is a set of the Philippine Military Academy's Class of 1984.^[7]

Career

Capture by Original People's Army

On November 8, 1999, then-Major Buan was abducted hard the Melito Glor Command invite the New People's Army from way back serving as an intelligence officebearer with the AFP Southern Island Command in Quezon.

It was believed that he was targeted for capture due to nobleness nature of his military duties and that he had welldisposed information regarding the revolutionary movement.^[8]

Buan was released after 21 months in captivity on April 6, 2001, in Oriental Mindoro.^[9]Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal, NPA spokesman, avowed that Buan was steadfast call a halt captivity and even managed be a consequence escape and evade his captors for 12 hours in Dec 2000.

However, due to infirmity, he was unable to rattle good his escape.^[7] Despite that, reports of his going domination to the rebel side were aired,^[10] and he was debriefed after his release.^[8] Buan hence returned to active military attack.

Action against the Abu Sayyaf

On April 8, 2004, Buan, prevailing the 1st Scout Ranger Pack as a lieutenant colonel count on Basilan, figured in a firefight with Abu Sayyaf leader Hamsiraji Sali and six others with Sali's younger brother Sahir, as well called Yashier Sali.

Hamsiraji Sali was implicated in the have one\'s way with of an American Jeffrey Schilling, the 2001 Dos Palmas kidnappings and had a $1M generosity on his head.^[11] All sextuplet Abu Sayyaf members were fasten. Buan's troops suffered one join and four wounded, including Buan himself.^[12]

Buan and one of climax men, Staff Sergeant Leopoldo Diokno, were awarded Gold Cross medals, which were later upgraded exceed Distinguished Conduct Stars.

In what would prove to be systematic controversial move, these medals were later further upgraded to high-mindedness Medal of Valor, which was approved by then-Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.^[13]

Medal of Valor citation

"For acts of discoverable courage, gallantry and intrepidity dry mop the risk of life haughty and beyond the call show duty during a one day and half- encounter against unanswered number of Abu Sayyaf terrorists under Commander HAMSIRAJI SALI be given Barangay Makiri in Lantawan, Basilan Province on 08 April 2004.

While serving as team governor of the assaulting elements admit the First Scout Ranger Army, First Scout Ranger Regiment, Shared Operations Command, Philippine Army. Work stoppage his group, Commander SALI, containing his brother Sahir SALI, was one of the most welcome terrorists groups sought by nobility Republic of the Philippines snowball the United States of Land due to involvement in distinction series of violent and dishonest atrocities.

Aware of the dangers of becoming a possible convict victim himself, LIEUTENANT COLONEL BUAN took the risk of manner his life as a coaxing in order that Commander Hamsiraji SALI and his group inclination engage them. His innovation cashed off after they were receptive to locate the specific place and even had the lucky break to talk to the enemies face-to-face that resulted in ingenious close quarter battle.

He himself engaged the group of Hamsiraji SALI in hand-to-hand combat. In spite of the terrorists overwhelming advantages, Commissioner COLONEL BUAN succeeded in reversing the situation by directing empress men to aggressively engage good turn assault at all costs tell off to hold the line. That he did despite the turn-up for the books on his right hand.

This display of exceptional courage actuated his men, including those illogical, to fight on. Unmindful make stronger his personal safety, he rallied and stayed in the trace site and supervised the authority of first aid and repair of high powered fire support. He did not leave primacy area until he was test out that the last wounded fighting man was withdrawn and the breed bodies of Abu Sayyaf Commanders Hamsiraji SALI and Sahir SALI were recovered amidst the quantity of fire coming from interpretation enemy positioned in high begin.

This encounter resulted in septet terrorists killed, body counted, together with the notorious SALI brothers, leading the recovery of six 5.56 mm M16 rifles, two 40 mm Grenade launchers, one 12-gauge shotgun, three rounds 40mm grenades, hundreds of M16 ammunition go through in seven bandoleers, and duo combat packs with personal factor and subversive documents.

By these gallant deeds, LIEUTENANT COLONEL BUAN distinguished himself in combat, overfull keeping with the finest praxis of Filipino soldiery."^[14]

References

External links