MANILA, Philippines- Pinarangalan ng Department of National Defense (DND) at ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) si dating military chief at senator Rodolfo Biazon, na pumanaw nitong Lunes sa edad na 88.
Kasabay ito ng ika-125 na paggunita sa Philippine Independence Day.
Matatandaang nanungkulan si Biazon sa militar bilang opisyal ng Philippine Marine Corps, at kalaunan ay pumasok sa public service bilang miyembro ng Kamara at ng Senado.
Pumasok siya sa Philippine Military Academy (PMA) noong 1957 at nagtapos bilng class “goat.” Ang PMA goat ay isang cadet na nagtapos nang “kulelat” sa rankings. Ipinagpatuloy niya ang kanyang karera sa Marines
Sa kanyang pagsisikap at dedikasyon, umangat siya sa liderato ng militar, sapat na dahilan upang maging contender bilang G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time) sa organisasyon.
Iniluklok siya bilang AFP Chief of Staff noong 1991, na naging daan upang maging unang military chief mula sa hanay ng Marines. Bago ito, nagsilbi rin siyang AFP Vice Chief of Staff, Commanding General ng AFP NCR Defense Command, at Commandant ng Philippine Marine Corps.
Naging senador din si Biazon mula 1992 hanggang 1995, at mula 1998 hanggang 2010; at bilang kinatawan ng lone district ng Muntinlupa City mula 2010 hanggang 2016.
Sinabi ni DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong na si Biazon “embodied patriotism, integrity, and commitment to the protection of the country’s freedom and its democratic institutions.”
“Throughout his decades-long service to the Filipino nation, Sen. Biazon embodied patriotism, integrity, and commitment to the protection of the country’s freedom and its democratic institutions,” pahayag ni DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong.
“Sen. Biazon embodied patriotism, integrity, and commitment to the protection of the country’s freedom and its democratic institutions. Sen. Biazon leaves a legacy worthy of emulation by current and future generations of Filipinos,” dagdag niya.
Samantala, inihayag ni Col. Medel Aguilar, AFP spokesperson, na si Biazon “played a pivotal role in defending the country’s democracy and upholding the integrity of our armed forces.”
“His commitment to public service extended into his political career, serving as a senator who championed key legislations that advocated for the welfare of our countrymen. His leadership and integrity will continue to inspire future generations of servicemen and public servants,” patuloy ni Aguilar.
Noong Hulyo 2022, na-diagnose si Biazon ng lung cancer at sumailalim sa gamutan, ayon sa kanyang anak na si incumbent Muntinlupa City Mayor Rozzano Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon.
Dalawang beses namang tinamaan ang nakatatandang Biazon ng pneumonia ngayong taon, at ang ikalawang beses nga ay mas malala “which had further weakened his lungs.”
Magbibigay ang AFP ng angkop na military honors kay dating General Biazon bilang pagkilala sa kanyang legasiya at mga sakripisyo bilang sundalo at pinuno ng militar. RNT/SA
