Co-Sponsorship Speech Confirmation of the Ad Interim Appointment of

SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA
Co-Sponsorship Speech
Confirmation of the Ad Interim Appointment of
General Noel Samson Buan

Mr. President,

I have the honor to co-sponsor the confirmation of the appointment of Noel Samson Buan to the rank of Brigadier General.

General Buan is recognized as a highly-trained and accomplished intelligence officer; admired and respected by his peers for his intelligence, various accomplishments and excellent leadership qualities.

He currently serves as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retiree Affairs since 2015 and actively serving the military for 36 years. He also served as Deputy Brigade Commander in 2015, Group Inspector General from 2013 to 2014, Chief of Staff, Headquarters and Headquarter Support Group, Philippine Army from 2012 to 2013, College, Training and Doctrine Command, Philippine Army from 2008 to 2009 and Assistant Chief of Unified Staff for Intelligence, National Regional Command (NARCOM), Armed Forces of the Philippines from 2006 to 2007.

General Buan received perhaps the most valued honor that a man in uniform truly aspires for. He was honored with a Medal of Valor in 2004 for acts of conspicuous courage, gallantry and intrepidity at the high risk of life beyond the call of duty as the team leader of the First Scout Ranger Battalion, First Scout Ranger Regiment, Philippine Army, during a reported close quarter battle with Abu Sayyaf leader Hamsiraji Sali and his brother Sahir. The military operation resulted in the successful neutralization of seven terrorists and the recovery of various high-powered ammunition.

In 1999, General Buan was captured while hunting down NPA rebels in Southern Tagalog as he attempted to penetrate the underground movement as an intelligence officer of the Southern Luzon Command. After almost two years in captivity, Major Buan was released through our humanitarian mission which I led together with Bishop Jesus Varela and Bishop Tomas Millamena, in Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro.

In 2003, he was acknowledged with a Bronze Cross Medal for acts of heroism involving risk of life as Case Officer. He was then recognized with a Military Merit Medal in 2006 as Battalion Commander, 1^st Scout Ranger Battalion, 1^st Scout Ranger Regiment, Special Operations Command, Philippine Army, from December 2003 to January 2006, for initiating the conduct of numerous successful combat operations.

This extensive experience in the military and heroic acts for the country, apart from his extensive education in the National Defense College of the Philippines, University of the East and Asian Institute of Management, gives me confidence that General Buan is more than qualified to carry on the tasks of Brigadier General.

Mr. President, it is for these reasons that I move for the confirmation of the ad interim appointment of General Noel Buan to the rank of Brigadier General.

Thank you, Mr. President.