Custodio J. Parcon, Jr. is a retired
Philippine Marine Corps
The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) ( fil, Hukbong Kawal Pandagat ng Pilipinas) is the marine corps of the Philippines, a naval infantry force under the command of the Philippine Navy. The PMC conducts amphibious, expeditionary, and special ...
general officer and a recipient the Philippines' highest military award for
courage
Courage (also called bravery or valor) is the choice and willingness to confront Suffering, agony, pain, Risk, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. Valor is courage or bravery, especially in battle.
Physical courage is bravery in the face of ...
, the
Medal of Valor
This list of medals for bravery is an index to articles about notable medals awarded for bravery or valor.
These medals, usually associated with military forces, police forces, or other public safety entities, are given to personnel who have serv ...
. He is the current commander of Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi.
Early life and education
Parcon is a native of
Iloilo City
Iloilo City, officially the City of Iloilo ( hil, Siyudad/Dakbanwa sang Iloilo; fil, Lungsod ng Iloilo), is a 1st class highly urbanized city in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines on the island of Panay. It is the capital city of ...
,
Philippines
The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no),
* bik, Republika kan Filipinas
* ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas
* cbk, República de Filipinas
* hil, Republ ...
. He is a graduate of the
Philippine Military Academy
The Philippine Military Academy ( fil, Akademiyang Militar ng Pilipinas / es, Academia Militar de Filipinas) also referred to by its acronym PMA is the premier military academy for Filipinos aspiring for a commission as a military officer of ...
Class of 1987. He completed
high school
A secondary school describes an institution that provides secondary education and also usually includes the building where this takes place. Some secondary schools provide both '' lower secondary education'' (ages 11 to 14) and ''upper seconda ...
at
Central Philippine University
The Central Philippine University (also referred to as Central or CPU) is a private research university in Iloilo City, Philippines. Established in 1905 through a benevolent grant of the American industrialist and philanthropist, John D. R ...
in 1980.
Action against the Abu Sayyaf
On 21 February 1993, members of a breakaway faction of the
Moro National Liberation Front
The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF; ar, الجبهة الوطنية لتحرير مورو) is a political organization in the Philippines that was founded in 1972. It started as a splinter group of the Muslim Independence Movement. The ...
kidnapped Anthony Luis Biel, the 5-year-old grandson of a
Basilan
Basilan, officially the Province of Basilan ( cbk, Provincia de Basilan; yka, Wilayah Basilanin; tsg, Wilaya' sin Basilan; fil, Lalawigan ng Basilan), is an island province of the Philippines located primarily in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Re ...
businessman. The following month on 18 March 1993, the
Moro
Moro may refer to:
Events
* Moro Crater massacre (1906), an engagement in the Philippine–American War
* Moro River Campaign (1943), a World War II campaign between Allied and German forces on the Moro river and its headwaters in Italy
* Moro ...
militants abducted a
Spanish
Spanish might refer to:
* Items from or related to Spain:
** Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain
**Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries
**Spanish cuisine
Other places
* Spanish, Ontario, Ca ...
Claretian
The Claretians officially named the Congregation of Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary ( la, Congregatio Missionariorum Filiorum Immaculati Cordis Beatae Mariae Virginis) abbreviated CMF is a Catholic clerical rel ...
missionary priest, Bernardo Blanco as he drove to his parish church in
Isabela, Basilan
Isabela, officially the City of Isabela ( Chavacano: ''Ciudad de Isabela''; Tausūg: ''Dāira sin Isabela''; Yakan: ''Suidad Isabelahin''; fil, Lungsod ng Isabela), is a 4th class component city and '' de facto'' capital of the province of ...
. Negotiations for Blanco's release bogged down as the
Abu Sayyaf
Abu Sayyaf (; ar, جماعة أبو سياف; ', ASG), officially known by the Islamic State as the Islamic State – East Asia Province, is a Jihadist militant and pirate group that follows the Wahhabi doctrine of Sunni Islam. It is ba ...
entered the scene and demanded ₱14 million as ransom. An operation aimed at rescuing the hostages spearheaded by the
Philippine Marine Corps
The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) ( fil, Hukbong Kawal Pandagat ng Pilipinas) is the marine corps of the Philippines, a naval infantry force under the command of the Philippine Navy. The PMC conducts amphibious, expeditionary, and special ...
began on 3 May 1993. On 6 May 1993 Blanco managed to escape his captors. The Marines led by Parcon continued their push toward the militants' Camp Al-Madinah, where Abu Sayyaf fighters led by
Isnilon Hapilon
Isnilon Totoni Hapilon (March 10, 1968 – October 16, 2017), also known by the ''nom de guerre'' Abu Abdullah al-Filipini, was a Moro Filipino Islamist militant affiliated with ISIS. He was formerly leader of Abu Sayyaf Group, before its ba ...
and allegedly
Wahab Akbar
Ustadz Wahab M. Akbar (April 16, 1960 – November 13, 2007) was a Filipino politician who served three terms as governor of Basilan, during which time he was known for his "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth" policy for dealing with kidnappers ...
engaged them in combat.
Parcon's unit eventually killed 46 Abu Sayyaf militants and Biel was released. Parcon was conferred the Medal of Valor in 1994 for his actions during the operation.
Medal of Valor citation
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty during a series of encounters against heavily armed Muslim Kidnapers at Barangay Kapayawan, Isabela, Basilan, from 7 to 15 May 1993. As the Commanding Officer, 61st Marine Reconnaissance Company tasked to infiltrate the Abu Sayyaf Camp Al Madinah and rescue victim Anthony Biel III, CAPTAIN PARCON JR led his men on a hazardous mission, pitting them against extremely fanatic and suicidal armed elements.
Infiltrating into the fortified enemy camp under cover of darkness, he and his men deactivated hundreds of mines laid along their route. On 8 May, he and his men engaged six armed enemies, instantly killing two and wounding two others. Through skillful direction of friendly fires maneuver, his men evaded detection and saved confusion within the enemy lines while dislodging Abu Sayyaf elements from each bunker in close quarter battle.
The next day, he saw armed men preparing for a counterattack. Employing accurate sniper fire, he and his men neutralized four kidnappers and wounded several others who scampered in various directions. At about 1500H on that same day, they were ambushed by the main body of Abu Sayyaf mujahideens, pinning down one section of his men in the middle of the enemy's killing zone. Unable to maneuver under intense enemy fire, he crawled towards the main enemy force amidst hail of machine gun and mortar fires, knocking down single-handedly the enemy bunkers along the way.
With enemy fires concentrated on his direction, his men were able to get out of the killing zone to deliver covering fires for his advance. He crept close to the enemy, lobbed a smoke grenade at their position to give the supporting helicopter gunship a clearer target. Finally, on 10 May, he and his men made the final assault on the enemy's main headquarters, which was defended by a 50 caliber heavy machinegun that delivered devastating fires on the advancing troops. Again, he single-handedly maneuvered forward and deliver fatal burst of fire to the enemy gunner, making the last defense of the Abu Sayyaf group to collapse, and forcing the remaining enemies to scamper in different directions, bringing with them their dead and wounded.
The capture of Camp Al Madinah and the neutralization of 46 Abu Sayyaf extremists greatly pressured the enemy to release Luis Anthony Biel III. Recovered from the camp were one 50 caliber machine gun, one light anti-tank weapon, two R2 Carbine rifle, one M1 Garand
The M1 Garand or M1 rifleOfficially designated as U.S. rifle, caliber .30, M1, later simply called Rifle, Caliber .30, M1, also called US Rifle, Cal. .30, M1 is a semi-automatic rifle that was the service rifle of the U.S Army during World Wa ...
rifle, undetermined number of live mortar rounds, several land mines/bombs, and voluminous documents. By these achievements, CAPTAIN PARCON distinguished himself in combat in keeping with the finest traditions of Filipino soldiery."
Notable events
In July 2006 Parcon, then a
lieutenant colonel, resigned from his post as operations chief of the Philippine Marine Corps due to allegations that he was included among the officers recommended for
court martial
A court-martial or court martial (plural ''courts-martial'' or ''courts martial'', as "martial" is a postpositive adjective) is a military court or a trial conducted in such a court. A court-martial is empowered to determine the guilt of me ...
proceedings related to the
2006 state of emergency in the Philippines
The Philippines was under a state of emergency, announced by presidential spokesperson Ignacio Bunye on the morning of February 24, 2006, by the virtue of Proclamation No. 1017. This occurred after the government claimed that it foiled an alleged ...
.
See also
*
Ariel Querubin
Ariel Oliva Querubin is a retired Philippine Marine Corps officer and a recipient of the Philippines' highest military award for courage, the Medal of Valor.
Early life and education
Querubin was born in Dagupan, Pangasinan. He grew up in La Uni ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Parcon, Custodio
Armed Forces of the Philippines Medal of Valor
Recipients of the Philippine Medal of Valor
Philippine Marine Corps personnel
Filipino generals
People from Iloilo City
Philippine Military Academy alumni
Central Philippine University alumni