A resident of Tayasan town, Negros Oriental, has been selected as one of The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers for 2012, a government press release said.

Engine man Second Class Staff Sgt. Arce Balasabas, 48, of the Philippine Navy, is the winner of this year’s TOPS, an annual search organized by Metrobank Foundation Inc. and Rotary Club of Makati, foundation president Aniceto Sobrepeña said in his letter to Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo.

Balasabas joins the elite roster of Filipino soldiers recognized for their outstanding example of gallantry, dedication, commitment, professionalism, and integrity among members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Sobrepeña added.

Balabas is presently the petty officer-in-charge of the Maintenance and Repair Branch at the Headquarters Fleet Maintenance and Support Group of the Naval Station at Felix Apolinario Camp, Panacan, Davao City. He was instrumental in the Navy’s rescue and retrieval operations for victims of tropical storm “Sendong”, the press release said.

He played a key role in the conduct of 61 in-house repairs of machinery aboard Navy vessels deployed in Eastern Mindanao. His expertise enabled the Philippine Navy to save man-hours and millions of pesos through timely and satisfactory repairs,” his profile sheet said.

Balasabas, born May 7, 1964 at Matuog, Tayasan, joined the Navy in 1983. He will receive a trophy and cash prize of P300,000 during awarding rites on September 5, the press release added.*

back to top