Noel S. Buan

Noel S. Buan
Born Pampanga, Philippines
Allegiance  Philippines
Service/branch  Philippine Army
Years of service 1984–present
Rank Colonel
Service number 0-9140
Unit
Battles/wars Communist insurgency in the Philippines
Islamic insurgency in the Philippines
Awards Philippine Medal of Valor

Noel S. Buan is a Philippine Army officer and a recipient the Philippines' highest military award for courage - the Medal of Valor.[2] Buan was captured and held by the communist New People's Army in July 1999 while serving as an intelligence officer with the Armed Forces of the Philippines Southern Luzon Command. He was released after 21 months of captivity in April 2001.[3] In 2004, while serving as Commander of the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion in Basilan, Buan orchestrated a military operation that resulted in the deaths of Abu Sayyaf leader Hamsiraji Marusi Sali and his brother Sahir.[4]

Early life and education

Buan is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy's Class of 1984.[5]

Career

Capture by New People's Army

On November 8, 1999, then-Major Buan was abducted by the Melito Glor Command of the New People's Army while serving as an intelligence officer with the AFP Southern Luzon Command in Quezon. It was believed that he was targeted for capture due to the nature of his military duties and that he had sensitive information regarding the revolutionary movement.[6]

Buan was released after 21 months in captivity on April 6, 2001 in Oriental Mindoro.[7] Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal, NPA spokesman, stated that Buan was steadfast in captivity and even managed to escape and evade his captors for 12 hours in December 2000. However, due to weakness, he was unable to make good his escape.[5] Despite this, reports of his going over to the rebel side were aired,[8] and he was debriefed after his release.[6] Buan subsequently returned to active military service.

Action against the Abu Sayyaf

Hamsiraji Sali

On April 8, 2004, Buan, commanding the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion as a lieutenant colonel in Basilan, figured in a firefight with Abu Sayyaf leader Hamsiraji Sali and six others including Sali's younger brother Sahir, also called Yashier Sali. Hamsiraji Sali was implicated in the kidnapping of an American Jeffrey Schilling, the 2001 Dos Palmas kidnappings and had a $1M bounty on his head.[9] All six Abu Sayyaf members were killed. Buan's troops suffered one killed and four wounded, including Buan himself.[10]

Buan and one of his men, Staff Sergeant Leopoldo Diokno, were awarded Gold Cross medals, which were later upgraded to Distinguished Conduct Stars. In what would prove to be a controversial move, these medals were later further upgraded to the Medal of Valor, which was approved by then-Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.[11]

References

  1. ↑ Corgue, Gideon C. (17 March 2016). "Military officers inspire ROTC cadets to show love for the country". Government of the Philippines. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  2. ↑ Jacinto, Al (29 April 2004). "Philippine Army Officer Awarded for Killing of Extremist Leader". Arab News. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  3. ↑ Pablo, Carlito (7 April 2001). ""The Torment is Over"". Philippine Daily Inquirer. p. 1. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  4. ↑ Bayoran, Gilbert (28 July 2014). "Valor Awardee Assigned Deputy Head of 303rd IB". The Visayan Daily Star. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  5. 1 2 Villanueva, Marichu (8 April 2001). "Shampoo for Buan Gives Away Release". Philippine Star. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  6. 1 2 Romero, Paolo (7 April 2001). "Ex-NPA Defector to Debrief Buan?". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  7. ↑ Vanzi, Sol Jose (6 April 2001). "NPA Frees Major Buan After 21 Months". Philippine Headline News Online. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  8. ↑ Vanzi, Sol Jose (10 March 2001). "NPA Prisoner Army Major Buan Joins His Captors?". Philippine Headline News Online. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  9. ↑ United States Department of State. "Rewards for Justice: Hamsiraji Marusi Sali". Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  10. ↑ Alipala, Julie S. (11 April 2004). "Abu Leader with $1M on his head slain in clash". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  11. ↑ East, Robert (2013). Terror Truncated: The Decline of the Abu Sayyaf Group from the Crucial Year 2002. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. p. 45. ISBN 1-4438-4461-6.

External links

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