2 Coast Guard heroes get presidential award

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu, Rank of Kamagi, on two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) officers for their heroism.

In a statement yesterday, the PCG said Duterte recognized the heroism of Probationary Ensign Ralph Barajan, who saved the lives of 62 passengers of the ill-fated M/V Siargao Princess in 2019.

Barajan, a registered nurse, was also recognized for being one of the medical frontliners assigned at the Philippine Arena quarantine facility. He thanked the President and the PCG for the recognition.

“I share this recognition with all the unsung heroes of the Philippine Coast Guard,” Barajan said.

Barajan recently received the International Maritime Organization (IMO) award for exceptional bravery at sea – an annual international recognition for individuals who performed acts of exceptional bravery, risking their own lives to save lives at sea or to prevent or mitigate marine environmental damage.

The PCG said that Barajan is the first Filipino to receive the IMO award and the first from Southeast Asia.

The other recipient of the presidential award is Lt. Cmdr. Francis Ariel Saulog, a member of the PCG’s Chaplain Service, for assisting an overseas Filipino worker from Saudi Arabia who gave birth at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Aug. 5, 2020.

Under Executive Order 35 series of 2017, the Order of Lapu-Lapu is awarded to government officials or personnel and private individuals in recognition of their efforts in relation to the advocacy of the President and as an appreciation of the “acts of valor and kindness and remarkable contributions to the country.