1. Cirilito Elola Sobejana was born on July 31,1965 and is a retired Philippine Army general who served as the 55th Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines under President Rodrigo Duterte.
25 Facts About Cirilito Sobejana
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Cirilito Sobejana is known for having been awarded the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medal of Valor in 1995 for his valiant actions in Basilan against the extremist guerrilla group Abu Sayyaf.
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Cirilito Sobejana graduated from the Philippine Military Academy as part of the Hinirang Class of 1987.
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Cirilito Sobejana finished his Command and General Staff Course at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Command and General Staff College and underwent the Executive Course on National Security Administration at the National Defense College of the Philippines.
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Cirilito Sobejana has trained as a paratrooper and a scuba diver.
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Internationally, Cirilito Sobejana trained in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense in Sweden and in operations research systems analysis at the US Army Logistics Management College in the United States.
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Cirilito Sobejana completed the Advance Security Cooperation course at Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu, Hawaii.
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Cirilito Sobejana was accorded the rank of Pinuno of the Philippine Legion of Honor for his leadership and meritorious conduct and service.
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Cirilito Sobejana took over from then Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay, as the later was promoted to Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
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On January 27,2021, Cirilito Sobejana again succeeded General Gilbert Gapay as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
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Cirilito Sobejana protested against the proposed Coast Guard Law from China, enabling them to open fire on any ship that enter the disputed waters.
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In March 2021, the attention of General Cirilito Sobejana was called by the Commission on Appointments regarding the questionable appointment of then Lieutenant General Jose Faustino Jr as Acting Commanding General of the Philippine Army.
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Cirilito Sobejana was succeeded in his post as chief of staff by Lieutenant General Jose Faustino Jr.
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In 1995, then Captain Cirilito Sobejana led his platoon in engaging a group of 20 Abu Sayyaf guerrillas in Isabela, Basilan.
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Abu Sayyaf reinforcements arrived until Cirilito Sobejana's unit was facing approximately 150 combatants.
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Cirilito Sobejana's arm was almost severed and he had to bite his right thumb to keep the arm from falling off.
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Cirilito Sobejana then began to fire using his left hand while still directing his men.
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The firefight ended after four hours with Cirilito Sobejana being wounded thrice more.
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Cirilito Sobejana refused to have his arm amputated and underwent several surgical procedures in the United States.
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Cirilito Sobejana underwent initial surgery at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii and would ultimately spend 10 months there undergoing further operations and reconstructive surgery.
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Cirilito Sobejana was transferred to Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas for rehabilitation.
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Cirilito Sobejana eventually recovered the partial use of his right hand and arm and remained in active service.
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Cirilito Sobejana even maneuvered around, exposing himself to enemy fire to direct the encounter.
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Cirilito Sobejana was recognized as an Outstanding Philippine Soldier in the Combat Category in 1995.
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Cirilito Sobejana received the Award of Excellence for Public Service and the Plaque of Commendation from Roel Degamo, the Governor of Negros Oriental, the general's home province, in 2012 and in 2021 respectively.