2 Capiceño soldiers find themselves at the top
ROXAS CITY – Two enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) who hail from Capiz have marched into the ranks of the 2008 The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS).
The Capiceño awardees are Captain Randy G. Bance of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) for Commissioned Officer Category and Chief Petty Officer Edwin G. Palacios of the Philippine Navy (PN) for Enlisted Personnel Category.
Aniceto M. Sobrepeña, president of Metrobank Foundation, Inc., which has initiated the Search for The Outstanding Soldiers of the Philippines (TOPS) together with the Rotary Club of Makati Metro, conveyed his congratulatory message to Governor Victor A. Tanco, Sr. and the Capiceños for producing two winners to the search.
TOPS is an annual search which pays tribute to outstanding examples of gallantry, competence, professionalism, and integrity among members of the AFP.
Bance, who is a native of Casanayan, Pilar, is presently assigned at the Policy Research and Special Projects Branch, Headquarters Service Group of the AFP general Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
On the other hand, a native of Tapaz town, Palacios is currently with the Group Support Squadron, Naval Air Group of the Philippine Fleet at Naval Base Cavite at Sangley Point, Cavite City.
Among the achievements of Bance that earned for him the coveted TOPS citation were his critical but successful combat mission engagements, formulation of policies that are now being adopted by the PAF Wing Operations Center on the conduct of training in deployment areas, institutionalization of standard of MG 520 engine performance trending procedures, and contributions in his own community.
On the part of Palacios, designated Chief Master at Arms in the Navy, he has been recognized in the service for quality work as a professional aviation machinist for the naval air group, initiated the fabrication of essential ground handling tools and equipment that facilitated the maintenance and repair of both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft, responsible for the expeditious rehabilitation of PNH-411 helicopters, and for his vital role in the conduct of relief and rescue operations in disaster-stricken areas.
Sobrepeña added that by winning in this search, Captain Bance and Chief Petty Officer Palacios joined the elite roster of outstanding soldiers of our country honored by Metrobank Foundation and the Rotary Club of Makati Metro.
Like all the other TOPS awardees, the outstanding Capiceño soldiers each received from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo a trophy and cash prize of P250, 000.00.
This year, the TOPS Final Board of Judges was chaired by Senator Benigno C. Aquino III and co-chaired by Justice Edilberto Sandoval. (PIA-JSC)