Marine whistle-blower of 2004 poll fraud, 9 others honored today

MANILA, Philippines - A Marine officer who exposed the alleged cheating in the 2004 elections will receive today the Ten Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS) award along with nine other soldiers in Malacañang. 

President Aquino is expected to award the trophy and cash prizes to the 10 soldiers who have excelled in their respective assignments. 

One of the awardees is Col. Alexander Balutan, commander of the 1st Marine Brigade based in Sultan Kudarat, who testified before the Senate about the supposed poll anomalies in 2004. Balutan was cited for his peacekeeping efforts and for his drive against criminal groups in the region. Balutan appeared before the Senate in 2005 to reveal what he knew about the election fraud in Lanao del Sur despite the order of Malacañang barring enlisted personnel from attending congressional hearings without clearance. 

The Senate was investigating allegations of poll fraud during the 2004 elections that implicated some high-ranking military officials.

Balutan, then assigned in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), was accused of disobeying his superiors for appearing before the Senate. He was charged before a court-martial but the charges were dismissed since the two-year prescription period had lapsed before they were brought to trial. 

Balutan, a graduate of PMA class ‘83, was also cited for his efforts to encourage political leaders in Lanao and Marawi City to sign a peace covenant in 2004. As a major, Balutan led his troops in capturing Camp Belal, the third largest camp of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). He also conducted six major ground operations that resulted in the recovery of kidnap for ransom victims. 

Another recipient of the TOPS award is Air Force Master Sergeant Ma. Teresa Bitong, a member of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) during the time of the late President Corazon Aquino. 

Bitong, the only female TOPS awardee this year, won a Gold Cross Medal in 1993 after rescuing trapped members of the 3rd Marine Battalion in Basilan. She was also named Air Force Enlisted Person of the Year in 1993 and was a recipient of three Gawad sa Kaunlaran and Sagisag ng Ulirang Kawal awards. 

Bitong is also recognized as an experienced helicopter gunner who finds fulfillment in saving lives. 

Other awardees are former Armed Forces spokesman Army Col. Daniel Lucero, Army Master Sergeants Sixto Navarrosa, Billy Benebile, Marine TSgt. Rommel Carbon, Navy Data Processor 3 Jairus Cenabre, Air Force Col. Raul del Rosario, Air Force Master Sgt. Nelson Mercado, and Army Col. Alexis Tamondong.

Each awardee will receive a P300,000 cash prize and a trophy courtesy of the Metrobank Foundation.