9 August 2022 - The Philippine Embassy in the Republic of Korea, led by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega held a memorial service celebrating the life and honoring the legacy of former President Fidel V. Ramos on 4 August 2022. Aside from cultivating PH-ROK relations during his time as the 12th President of the Republic, former President Ramos was a key figure in Philippines - ROK relations, as he was one of the leaders of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) from 1950-1953 and in his later years was an active champion of PH-ROK veterans affairs cooperation.
Ambassador Dizon-De Vega shared her personal anecdotes on former President Ramos’ impeccable work ethic and people skills. “He was throughout his stint as President pursuing peace as our country’s top diplomat. He was not just a soldier, not just a diplomat, not just a man of peace but also a builder of our nation. And during his term, our country was able to realize progress and peace and we will always remember him for that,” the Ambassador said.
DFA Undersecretary for Administration Antonio Morales, who was in Korea for meetings, also shared his tribute and highlighted former President Ramos’ expertise as a foreign policy President and the Philippine gains in economic development during the Ramos Presidency. Col. Enriqueto Deocadez Jr. rendered his snappiest salute in honor of former President Ramos’ legacy as a soldier in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr. read the DFA statement on the demise of the former President which highlighted his contributions to higher standards of protection and the promotion of the welfare of migrant Filipino workers, their families, and distressed Filipinos abroad.
As a recipient of the Republic of Korea’s Grand Order of Mugunghwa and the Cheonsu Medal, Order of National Security Merit, ROK officials including Vice Minister of National Defense Shin Beom-chul and Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (MPVA) Director General Kang Yujin paid tribute to the former President, underscoring his invaluable contribution to ROK’s freedom and democracy as a Korean War Veteran and member of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea. Then 2nd Lieutenant Ramos led a forty-four-man combat battalion and won the Battle on Eerie Hill, one of the major victories involving the PEFTOK during the 1950-1953 Korean War.
Defense Vice Minister Shin personally wrote a touching tribute to the former President, saying that “He has never stopped being proud of the sacrifices made by the armed forces of the Philippines to safeguard the freedom of the Republic of Korea. Today, the people of the Republic of Korea still vividly remember the late President and his sincere efforts to develop PH-ROK friendship beyond his years as President of the Philippines.”
MPVA Minister Park Minshik also paid his respects to the former President on 3 August 2022 by signing the Embassy condolence book. Minister Park expressed grateful appreciation for the former President’s notable contributions to the nation as a PEFTOK soldier and as a figure of PH-ROK veterans affairs cooperation, writing that the Republic of Korea will never forget the former President’s bravery and sacrifice.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General Yoon Soungmi, Korean War Memorial Director Lee Sangchul, and the custodian of the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea Ambassador Hur Kang-Il were also present during the ceremony. Officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy, its attached agencies, and Filipino descendants of Korean War veterans were likewise in attendance. END
ROK Officials, led by Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Minister Park Minshik and Ministry of National Defense Vice Minister Shin Beom-chul sign the condolence book for former President Fidel V. Ramos.
Uniform and other accoutrements of former President Fidel V. Ramos as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea.
