(As of October 27, 2006)
(Note:
Webmaster's permission needed before reproduction of any items below)
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There were 5,457 prospective Class
1971 who applied to PMA and only 3,537 finished the examination
given from December 22-23, 1966 on various parts of the
country. Only 307 passed the test and after a rigid medical
and physical examination, 148 were finally taken and reported
to PMA on April 1, 1967.
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The Class entered PMA when the AFP
strength was a little over 40,000.
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The Cadet Corps was only 319 at that
time (Class 68 56; Class 69 42; Class 70 73 (?); and
Class 71 148).
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Class 71, together with Classes
69, 70, and 72, were the first to be billeted at the
then new Regis Hall barracks. We were the last plebes to
rot at Lorenzo Hall (the old mess hall) and the first yearling
to eat at new mess hall.
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We were the first PMA Class, together
with Class 70, to go on educational tour outside the country.
We visited the Chinas Naval Academy, Chinas Army Academy,
and the Air Force Academy of the Republic of Taiwan during
the summer of 1969.
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It was during our term as firstclassmen
when Victor Corpuz raided the PMA armory on December 1970,
causing the immediate relief of then PMA Superintendent
Brig Gen Aurelio Ugalde.
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We were cadets during the mans first
landing on the moon and when the big earthquake leveled
the Ruby Tower in Manila.
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The first civilian instructor, Mr
Antolin Martinez, was hired by PMA when we were cadets.
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The use of tagalog military command
was first introduced when Class 71 were plebes in 1967-68.
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The yearlings 71 converted the Silent
Drill Platoon to Silent Drill Company. One of the last performances
was at the gymnasium of the Chinese Military Academy of
the Republic of Taiwan.
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We were also the first class to adopt
a rotating cadet officer corps during our firstie year.
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First Class Cadet Archie Almario
71 was the first to receive a military award (Bronze Cross)
while still a cadet. He was the first cadet of the Philippine Military Academy to be awarded The Bronze Cross which is a military decoration for acts of heroism involving the risk of one's own life. In utter disregard for his personal safety, then Secondclass Cadet Almario, in the evening of 31 Dec 1969, clambered up the burning apartment building at Arlegui, Quiapo, Manila by going through the fire escape to answer the frantic cries of eight children who were trapped inside one of the rooms. He braved this peril to rescue the eight young children who were in the throes of a sure and fiery death. The youthful cadet from Sta. Mesa, Manila was later awarded one of the highest military decorations in recognition of his courage and bravery. Cadet Almario received at Camp Aguinaldo the Bronze Cross from Gen. Manuel T. Yan, the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
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The Silent Drill Company of Matatag Class of 1971 was the first to perform outside the Philippines, in the Chinese Military Academy (CMA), when the entire secondclassmen visited this little-island province of Taiwan in in 1969 as part of the Corps' Asian Tour. The constant source of pride of Class 1971, the crack silent drill company showed their inimitable wares to the Chinese cadets. Their performance was more or less, a salute to the host who were more than eager to accomodate the Cadet Corps. They did very well, well enough to merit the admiration and ceaseless enthusiasm of the hosts. At the Chinese Air Force Academy, the silent drill company also performed for the Air Force cadets inspite of a slight drizzle. They did it this time inside a gymnasium with complete floors and eye-popping flash bulbs. The heavy thumping of rifle butts broke three rifle stocks. No frets, all for diplomacy. Thus, the silent drill company have gave in its share in crystallizing the objective of the goodwill mission tour of the group of cadets from the Philippine Military Academy.
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Class 71 had a singing group called
"The Four Winds and A Shadow" that enjoyed singing
novelty, as well as four-part harmonies to entertain people
and remember melodies in their past in a different way.
The members: Bobby Navida, Tenor 1; Jun Paynor, Tenor 2
and Baritone; Franklin Brawner; Bass 1 and Teody Viduya
and Dan Francia, Bass 2 and Guitars. Cadets Jun Paynor,
Dan Francia, Teody Viduya, and Bobby Navida are the "Four
Winds" and Cadet Franklin Brawner as "The Shadow".
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The "Men of Gray", the
first all cadet combo, was formed in 1969. It is the Electric
Combo that played tunes of the times, as played by the original
bands. First Generation: Cesar Alvarez '70 , Bass Guitar;
Hombre Garcia '70, Rythm Guitar and Singer; Johhny Velasco
'71, Drums; Bobby Navida '71, Alternate Drums and Lead Singer
and Dan Francia '71, Lead Guitar and Organizer. Second Generation:
Pete Espadero '72, Rhythm Guitar; Torch Torres '73, Bass
Guitar; Bobby Navida '71, Drums and Lead Singer; Budo Acedera
'74, Keyboard; Bob Aviso '73, Lead Singer; Romy Buenaflor
,74; Alternate Lead Guitar and Dan Francia '71, Lead Guitar
and Organizer.
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The following songs continued to
echo at the Cadet Mess Hall - "Mr. Dyingly Sad, Cherish,
Happy Together, Don't You Care, California Dreaming, Yesterday's
Gone, I'll See You in September, Before and After, Never
My Love, Save Your Heart, Girl From Ipanema, Sealed With
A Kiss, Count Me In, Try To Remember, A World Without Love,
Words, Listen To The Rhytm Of The Falling Rain, Monday,
Monday, Traces of Love, He Ain't Heavy, Hey Jude, 500 Miles,
Scarborough Fair, and Spanish Harlem".
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Five superintendents were in control
of PMA during our cadetship. (Col Reynaldo Mendoza, Col.
Ernesto Santos, BrigGen Cesar Garcia, Col Aurelio Ugalde, and
Commodore Gregorio Lim).
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The Class of 1971 was the first PMA
class who have more than 100 graduates. There were 109 of
us who graduated, 108 of whom were commissioned as 2nd
Lieutenants on April 2, 1971(Willy Tapia succumbed to leukemia
on 2 March 1971). We were one of the classes who technically
graduated as an officer instead of straight from cadetship.
We were supposed to graduate on 28 Mar 71. However, PFM
was not available and the graduation ceremonies (the entire
March Week, not only the commencement exercise) was moved
from 31 Mar to 2 Apr, with 2 April as our day of graduation,
one day after Gel Molato became 21 and exactly one month
from the death of Willy Tapia (2 Mar). To placate us, Sec
Enrile came all the way up to Baguio to inform us that our
date of commission stay on 28 March 1971.
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Service assignment was done by signifying
their personal preferences with the quota set by GHQ as
given. Conflict was resolved through order of merit priorities.
The final distribution: Philippine Army 29 (including
Willy Tapia); Philippine Air Force 38 ; Philippine Constabulary
31; and Philippine Navy 10.
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Addendum: Willy Tapia signified for
PA before he died. Doy Francisco originally signified PAF
but took Willy's slot when the former failed the eye test
and after beating Tex in the coin toss witnessed by Gringo,
and Rey Rivera, Vic Batac, and Bouncy at the Regimental
Staff room.
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Oca Martinez got the most coveted
Presidential Saber for graduating number 1 and Ed Matillano
got the Athletic Saber for excellence in athletics.
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Nick Varona was the first to marry.
Wedding ceremony was held at the PMA Chapel on the night
of the graduation day. Miles Millena was just close behind.
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The following joined the:
Philippine Army: 2nd Lieutenants Melchor Acosta,
Jerry Albano, Franklin Brawner, Gregorio Cagurangan, Marte
Chioco, Nonito Dallo, Estanislao David, Rolando Degracia,
Fernando Francisco, Rafael Galvez, Ruben Gange, Jaime Gopilan,
Gregorio Honasan, Alejandro Lasan, Cesar Ibo, Marcelino
Malajacan, Oscar Martinez, Roberto Sacramento, Huey Tabanda,
Wilfredo Tapia, Rodolfo Vasquez, Johnny Velasco, Reynaldo
Alcasid, Romeo Dominguez, Carlos Garcia, Cesar Gopilan,
Ernesto Lumang, Reynaldo Rivera, Diosdado Tabamo, Levy Zamora,
and Narsing Abaya.
Philippine Air Force: 2nd Lieutenants Reynaldo
Doria, Manuel Nartatez, Nolan Ramos, Ceferino Sarmenta,
Edwin Abello, Tex Balmaceda, Danilo Belonia, Jaime Canatoy,
Narciso Dauz, Manuel Domingo, Nelson Eslao, Philip Espejo,
Voltaire Espejo, Ernesto Fernandez, Manuel Foronda, Danilo
Francia, Eduardo Kapunan, Tito Legaspi, Artemio Lim, Rolando
Malinis, Edgardo Maranon, Moises Millena, Gel Molato, Roberto
Navida, Daniel Perico, Joseph Ramos, Manuelito Resplandor,
Remegio Santos, Lamberto Sillona, Nicolas Varona, Jose Yarisantos,
Cicero Castellano, Neon Ebuen, Edgar Elona, Ralph Flores,
Edwin Galzote, Prospero Ocampo, and Arcadio Seron.
Philippine Navy: Ensigns Amable Costales, Archilles
Almario, Socrates Brazal, Wenceslao Cruz, Urbano Fabros,
Robert Laciste, Dante Peralta, Ruben Domingo, Ariston Delos
Reyes, Joaquin Tan, Bienvenido Alano.
Philippine Constabulary: 2nd Lieutenants
Benjamin Casabar, Edwin Cuenco, Antonio Duran, Jaime Dela
Cruz, Ariel Domingo, Dominador Domingo, Efren Fernandez,
Eduardo Finones, Tiburcio Fusilero, Panfilo Lacson, Eduardo
Mana-ay, Renato Paredes, Zosimo Paredes, Marciano Paynor,
Rex Piad, Rogelio Regalado, Teodoro Runes, Reynaldo Acop,
Edgar Aglipay, Jose Ayap, Victor Batac, Ruben Cabagnot,
Hercules Cataluna, Ricardo De Leon, Rolando Garcia, Virtus
Gil, Jose Lalisan Jr, Eduardo Matillano, Reynaldo Velasco,
Teodorico Viduya, and Francisco Zubia.
Adopted Members: Aquino, Napoleon; Claravall, Tadeo;
Concepcion; Art,Cruz, Avelino; Dagudag, Alfonso; Gonzales,
Reynor; Guce, Conrado; Pabuayon, Cesar; Pagdanganan, Robert;
Paredes, Romulo; Purificacion, Eduardo; Venida, Nestor;
and Mainit, Gabriel.
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Equipped with the skills and knowledge
they acquired from the Academy, the different groups of
the Matatags were given various assignments. The PAF group
was sent to Philippine Air Force Flying School at Fernando
Air Base for flying training on 3 May 1971. Together they
comprised the PAF Class 72B. 2nd Lieutenant Mardol Maranon
was our first soloist, more that 2 hours less than the minimum
required time for solo. Bong Ebuen got the most coveted
McMicking Award for graduating number 1 and Miles Millena
topped the class in academics. Graduation day was 25 November
1972.
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The PN group took the NOQC for a
year.
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The PC group took the PCOBC at Camp
Panopio, Quezon City.
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Aside from Willy Tapia, the first
casualty of the class was Tony Duran, PC. He was ambushed
at Zamboanga Del Norte. Tates Nartatez of the PAF was declared
missing in December of 1970 when their C-47 aircraft got
lost in Jolo waters while performing flare drop mission.
Ambet Costales of the PN was first casualty of the PN group.
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The fact was that most of the members
of the Class figured prominently in the February 1986 Revolution
that toppled the regime of former President Ferdinand Marcos.
Just like the West Point classes during the American Civil
War, Class 71 found themselves in the opposite sides of
the fence. One supporting Marcos and the other against.
The only difference was that it was a non-violent warfare.
Each side respecting the belief of the other. They agreed
to disagree. When the smoke cleared, we were again one.
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During the middle years, members
of the class were assigned as batallion commanders, squadron
commanders, and ship commanders. Many also served as staff
officers in the wing/brigade/fleet in the differents units
of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
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In its senior years, the Class produced
43 Generals: PA 8; PAF 11; PN 3; and PC/PNP 21.
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Egay Aglipay was the first to become
General of the Class. He was promoted June, 1994.
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Class 71 stood tall and proud. Director
General Panfilo Lacson was appointed as Chief, Philippine
National Police from November 1999-January 20, 2001 and
became the first member of the Class to get the highest
post one can aspire in the National Police Service. It is
also proud to have a regular member General Narsing Abaya
(USMA 71) appointed as Chief of Staff of the AFP in 2003.
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The following were the last assignments
before these Matatags retired from the service:
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| Vice Admiral Ariston Delos Reyes |
Vice Chief of Staff, AFP |
| Vice Admiral Ruben Domingo |
Commander, Western Command |
| Lieutenant General Romeo Dominguez |
Commander, Northern Luzon Command |
| Deputy Director General Rex Piad |
Chief, Directorial Staff, PNP |
| Deputy Director General Virtus Gil |
PNP Deputy Chief for Administration |
| Deputy Dir General Reynaldo Velasco |
PNP Deputy Chief for Administration |
| Deputy Director Ricardo De Leon |
PNP Deputy Chief for Administration |
| Major General Reynaldo Rivera |
J-9, AFP |
| Major General Diosdado Tabamo |
DCS, CEIS, J11, AFP |
| Major General Neon Ebuen |
Commandant, JCSC |
| Major General Arcadio Seron |
Vice Commander, Philippine Air Force |
| Major General Edwin Galzote |
The Inspector General, AFP |
| Major General General Reynaldo Alcasid |
Division Commander, 5th Infantry Div, PA |
| Major General Cicero Castellano |
J-4, General Headquarters, AFP |
| Major General Carlos Garcia |
J-6, General Headquarters, AFP |
| Rear Admiral Jack Tan |
Vice Commander, Philippine Navy |
| Police Director Jaime Dela Cruz |
Director, Directorate for Logistics, HPNP |
| Police Director Jose Lalisan |
Director, Directorate for Pers and Records PNP |
| Police Director Hercules Cataluna |
Directorate for Plan, PNP |
| Police Director Eduardo Matillano |
Director, DIDM, HPNP |
| Police Director Ruben Cabagnot |
Deputy, Internal Affairs Office PNP |
| Police Director Victor Batac |
Director, Directorate for Logistics,PNP |
| Police Director Reynaldo Acop |
Director for Personnel and Record Management PNP |
| Brigadier General Edgar Elona |
Wing Commander, Villamor Air Base, PAF |
| Brigadier General Cesar Gopilan |
Deputy Commander, CENCOM |
| Brigadier Genera Ernesto Lumang |
Deputy Commander, SOLCOM, GHQ |
| Brigadier General Rudolfo Vasquez |
Chief of Army Staff, HQs. Philippine Army |
| Brigadier General Jaime Canatoy |
Commander, Air Reserve Command |
| Brigadier General Danilo Francia |
Wing Commander, 15th Strike Wing, PAF |
| Brigadier General Lamberto Sillona |
Wing Commander, 410 AMW, PAF |
| Brigadier General Nelson Eslao |
HQs, PAF |
| Brigadier General Prospero Ocampo |
Palawan 570 CTW Commander |
| Police Director Rolando Garcia |
Director, Philippine Center for Transnational Crimes |
| Police Director Dominador Domingo |
Police Director, PRO 9, PNP |
| Police Director Renato Paredes |
Director, PNP Traffic Management Group |
| Police Chief Superintendent Teodorico Viduya
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Dep Director, Dir -r Pers and Record Mgmt PNP |
| Police Chief Superintendent Jose Ayap |
HPNP |
| Polcie Chief Superintendent Francisco Zubia |
Director, CIDG PNP |
| Colonel Ralph Flores |
Head, Air Force Logistics Command |
| Colonel Jerry Albano |
Chief, Special Services of GHQ |
| Colonel Levy Zamora |
Brigade Commander, 5ID |
| Colonel Artemio Lim |
Dep Wing Commander, 420th Supply Wing, CABCOM |
| Colonel Marte Chioco |
ISAFP, AFP |
| Colonel Rolando Malinis |
Deputy Asst Secretary of Defense for Installations and
Logistics, DND |
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Jess Paredes became the first elected
official of the Class when he won the seat as Assemblyman
of the Old Batasang Pambansa.
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Senator Greg Honasan would soon take
the record when he was elected as Senator during the 1997
election. He served for a total of nine years having been
re-elected in 2001.
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Soon to follow was Senator Ping Lacson.
He won a senatorial seat in the 2001 election. He is not
done yet. Right now in the 2004 election, he is aspiring
not only to be the Class number 1 but also to be number
one official of the country. He is running for president.
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The Class holds that distinction
of being the only Class having 2 Matatags at the Philippine
Senate at the same time for some time - in the persons of
Senators Ping Lacson and Greg Honasan.
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Among the non-elective positions,
Ambassador Jun Paynor has garnered the highest honor. After
several consular assignments in different parts of the world,
he attained the ambassador rank. He was assigned as DEPUTY
Chief of Mission in Rome, then Philippine Ambassador to
Israel, and currently as Consul-General of the Philippine
Consulate at Los Angeles, California USA.
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Other Matatags in the government
service are: Attorney Bob Sacramento, Custom Collector;
Bobby Navida, Assistant Director General at National Security
Council; BrigGen Bert Sillona (Ret), Chief of Staff, Secretary
of National Defense; and BrigGen Dan Francia is EVP/GM
of AFP General Insurance Corporation.
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Jess Paredes II - Executive Director,
Commission on Visiting Forces Agreement and concurrently
as Presidential Assistant, Office of the President; while
Ferna EQ is Deputy Director,
Phil Drug Enforcement Agency, both categorized as Undersecretaries.
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Marte Chioco is the Deputy Director
General of NICA.
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Marte Chioco, Consultant NISA; Alex
Lasan, Manager, MBAI Regional Office.
- As of September 10, 2006, the following
Matatags are holding the following government positions:
Aris De Los Reyes is now the Undersecretary
of National Defense.
Bert Sillona is the
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Installation and
Logistics.
Egay Aglipay is the President, Philippine
Retirement Authority
Virtus Gil is the Undersecretary of
the National Security Council
Rolly Garicia is the Undersecretary
of TransNational Crime.
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May 2007 Election. The following matatags are candidates for the May 2007 elections:
FOR SENATOR:
Greg Honasan, Ping Lacson and Jess Paredes
FOR HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE: Bob Sacramenton (Tarlac)
FOR GOVERNOR: Obet Pagdanganan
FOR MAYOR (STA BARBARA, PANGASINAN): Rey Velasco
FOR MAYOR (PUERTO PRINCESA, PALAWAN): Ed Matillano
FOR MAYOR (PINILI, ILOCOS NORTE): Volts Espejo
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Some 101 members have retired or
resigned from the service. Three retired with the the rank
of General/Police Director General; 4 with the rank of Lieutenant
General/Police DepDir General; 18 with the rank of Major
General/Rear Admiral/Police Director; 18 with the rank of
Brigadier General; 27 with the rank of full Colonel; 25
with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel; and 4 majors.
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Nine have used their entrepreneurial
talent to put up their own businesses: Tex Balmaceda, President
and Broker of AF Properties in Hawaii; Ariel Domingo,
CEO of Ariel A. Domingo Insurance Agency Inc., State Farm
Insurance, California; Ernie Fernandez, president of CETER,
an IT consulting company based in California; Volts Espejo,
President, UTS Transport Company, Inc.; Huey Tabanda, Owner,
Caltex Station, Baguio; Tito Legaspi is President, Aircon
Services; Red Kapunan manages his own private bank; Archie
Almario with wife Rose operate a Child Care Center at Hayward,
CA; and Gel Molato, Pres/CEO STI College Rosario, Cavite.
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Rolly Degracia is Business Analyst/Cost
Accountant for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Dan
Perico is Project Manager for EDS at HerndonVirginia; Ed
Maranon is Senior Programmer Analyst of LA County, CA;
and Soc Brazal is Technology Analyst, Canada Mortgage and
Housing Corp.
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Oca Martinez remains consultant abroad.
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Ging Cagurangan is the General Manager
Japan Special Glass Inc. in PEZA, Rosario Cavite; Doy Francisco
is IT Consultant with MBAI; Bay Ibo is manager of Vanguard
Holdings; Narsing Dauz, the manager of Valley Golf Club,
Antipolo; Wency Cruz is General Manager, Ayala Center Association
Inc. and Security Coordinator of Ayala Center Makati, Ayala
Land Inc; Jun Fabros is SW Engineer of TRW, East Coast USA;
Doming DA is VP for Security of BPI; Teddy Runes is Corporate
Security Manager of Coca Cola Bottlers, Inc;
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Other matatags who are successful
in their own rights are: Stan David and Jimmy Gopilan at
Los Angeles, California; Edwin Abello at the Eastern Coast,
USA; and Bobby Laciste at Texas, USA; and for Philip Espejo
- Forgiven, through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ
to pay for all my sins against a Loving God.
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Dan Belonia and Manuel Domingo are
pilots of Cebu Pacific; Manny Foronda is pilot at Orient
Thai Airlines; JB Ramos is pilot of Transport Corp. Ltd
at Angola; Manny Resplandor is a PAL pilot; and Bobby Yarisantos
at Aero Pilipinas-PAL.
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Among the honorary members of the
class: Nap Aquino is IGS Consultant, Moonpark CA; Ave Cruz
is Electrical Engineer of Raytheon Company; while Mulong
Paredes is President of CEDCO, Inc.; and Cesar Pabuayon
is a Religion Pastor.
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Within the span of 39 years, many
Matatags extended the Bachelor of Science degree they got
from PMA by acquiring other college and graduate/post-degrees.
| Colonel(Ret)/Attorney Roberto Sacramento |
Bachelor of Laws. CSEE |
| Colonel(Ret)/Attorney Oscar Martinez |
Bachelor of Laws |
| Attorney Zosimo Paredes II |
Bachelor of Laws |
| Navy Captain(Ret) Bienvenido Alano |
Master of Arts and PhD (Econ) |
| Lieutenant Colonel(Res) Jaime Gopilan |
Bachelor of Science in Nursing |
| First Lieutenant(Res) Ariel Domingo |
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering |
| General (Ret) Narciso Abaya |
Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Master in
Business Admin. |
| Navy Captain(Ret) Urbano Fabros |
Master of Science, Information System |
| Lieutenant Colonel(Res) Danilo Perico |
Master of Science, Information System. |
| Major(Res) Angelo Molato |
Master of Science, Information System |
| Colonel(Ret) Rafael Galvez |
Master in Business Management |
| Colonel(Ret) Philip Espejo |
Master in Business Administration, Master in Log Mgmnt |
| Colonel(Ret) Voltaire Espejo |
Master of Science in Log Management |
| Colonel(Ret) Rolando Degracia |
Master of Science in Log Management, CPIM (Certified
in Production & Inventory Management) |
| Senator Gregorio Honasan |
Master in Business Management |
| Colonel(Ret) Fernando Francisco |
Master of Science, Industrial Engineering |
| Colonel(Ret) Moises Millena |
Master in Business Management |
| Colonel(Ret) Rolando Malinis |
Master of Arts (Econ) |
| Commander (Res) Socrates Brazal |
Master in Business Administration |
| Vice Admiral(Ret) Ariston Delos Reyes |
Master in National Security Administration |
| Police Director(Ret) Jose Lalisan |
Master in National Security Administration |
| Major General(Ret) Diosdado Tabamo |
Master in National Defense Studies |
| Police Director(Ret) Renato Paredes |
Master in Business Administration |
| Major General(Red) Cicero Castellano |
Master in Business Management |
| Lieutenant Colonel (Res) Estanislao David |
Master of Science in Mgmnt and Organizational Development |
| Lieutenant General(Ret) Romeo Dominguez |
Masters in Accountancy, and Master in Public and Business
Mgmnt |
| Senator/Dir Gen Panfilo Lacson |
Master in Government Management |
| Colonel (Ret) Manuel Foronda |
Master in Management |
| Major (Deceased) Ceferino Sarmenta |
Master in Management |
| Police Director (Ret) Dominador Domingo |
Master in Management |
| Brigadier General(Ret) Lamberto Sillona |
Master in Business Administration |
| Colonel (Ret) Wenceslao Cruz |
Master in Management |
We enjoin
everyone to offer silent prayers for the following deceased members
of PMA Class 71:
Philippine Army
Philippine Air Force
Philippine Navy
Philippine Constabulary
Associate Member (PAF)
As of today, January 17, 2005 here are the more important
statistics about the PMA Class 71 Matatags:
Total Number of Graduates: 109
Total Associate/Honorary Members: 15
Active Service: 0
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- Fifty-one Matatags remained in the military/police services
till the mandatory retirement age of 56. Out of this, forty-five
(45) had retired as generals broken down as follows: three (3)
general/police director generals; six (6) lieutenant generals/vice
admirals/deputy director generals; eighteen (18) major generals/rear
admirals/police directors; and eighteen (18) brigadier generals/chief
superintendents. The rest of this group retired with the rank
of full colonel.
- Forty-nine (49) either retired before reaching the mandatory
retirement age or resigned their commission due to various reasons.
Twenty-one (21) retired with the ranks of full colonel after
serving at least 20 years in the military service (optional
retirement); twenty-four (24) with the rank of lieutenant colonel;
three resigned with the rank of major; and one resigned with
the rank of 1st lieutenant.
The former Vice Chief of Staff, AFP Vice Admiral
Delos Reyes (Ret) retired on February 16, 2006. He was the
last member of the matatags to retire from the active service.
That marked the end of the turn of PMA Class 71 Matatag in
actively serving the Arned Forces of the Philippines and the
Philippine National Police. But the outstanding achievements
of the Class will not end there yet. The energy exhibited by
the Class pool of technocrats, managers, government executives,
and the experiences and expertise that go with it, will continue
to be valuable to the military establishment and the civilian
and government sectors as well. Their minds and philosophies
will continue to influence the course that this nation will
take. We have one more fervent wish. We hope we will soon have
a President who is a Matatag as well.
Wherever we maybe, the matatags will
continue to give honors to PMA Class 71 and the Philippine Military
Academy in particular and to the country in general.
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