Fortunato Abat

Fortunato Abat (June 10, 1925 – March 7, 2018) was a Filipino major general who served as the 20th Secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND), Ambassador to the People's Republic of China, and Commanding General of the Philippine Army.

Fortunato Abat
Born(1925-06-10)June 10, 1925
San Juan, La Union, Philippine Islands
DiedMarch 7, 2018(2018-03-07) (aged 92)
Quezon City, Philippines
Place of burial
Libingan ng mga Bayani (Cemetery of Heroes) in Fort Bonifacio
Allegiance Philippines
Service/branch Philippine Army
Years of service1944–1946 (USAFFE)
1946–1981 (Army)
Rank Major General
Commands held3rd Infantry Division
Battles/warsWorld War II
* Philippines Campaign (1944–1945)
Hukbalahap Campaign
Korean War
AwardsDistinguished Conduct Star
Other workSecretary, Department of National Defense

Early years

Fortunato Abat was born on June 10 in San Juan, La Union. He studied in Singalong Elementary School in the city of Manila from 1932–39, then in Araullo High School, 1939-41. His secondary education was abruptly halted by the Japanese invasion during World War II. As a young teenager, he entered the Philippine Army which was incorporated into the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) as an enlisted man on April 15, 1944 before the Allied Liberation of the Philippines. He continued his secondary education in La Union High School even after World War II and completed his education in the year 1947.[1][2]

Military

Abat entered the Philippine Military Academy right after finishing his high school diploma, and graduated in the Class of '51, and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the Philippine Army. Along with 2nd Lieutenant Fidel V. Ramos, Abat joined the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK), where he served with distinction under the United Nations flag.[1]

Abat's colorful military career brought him to become the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations & Training of the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division. Later on he became the Senior Armed Forces Attache at the Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He also was sent with the Philippine Delegation to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Meetings of SEATO Intelligence Assessment Committee in Bangkok, Thailand.[2]

He also distinguished himself as Commanding Officer of the 3rd Infantry Brigade (Separate), and later on as the Commanding General of the 3rd Infantry Division, and Central Mindanao Command (CEMCOM).[2]

Maj. Gen. Abat finally served as Commanding General of the Philippine Army from March 28, 1976 to March 28, 1981.[1] Tragedy befell the family of Maj. Gen. Abat, when his son, 2Lt. Tito B. Abat, died during an encounter with the New People's Army in Eastern Samar, a year after graduating from the Philippine Military Academy.

Immediately after his retirement from active military service, he joined the Ministry of Human Settlements. A few months later, he was named Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China where he served from May 1981 until after EDSA Revolution on April 1986.[1]

Upon his return from his Ambassadorship in PROC, Abat was first appointed as the Administrator of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), a DND agency. Later on, he was named Undersecretary of National Defense (USND) during the term of Defense Secretary Rafael Ileto. He also served as USND during the term of then Defense Secretary Fidel V. Ramos, but he left the Department and was designated Deputy Director General to Secretary Rafael Ileto who later headed the National Security Council (NSC).[1]

During the presidency of Fidel Ramos, Abat was the Chairman of the Peace Panel of the Philippine Government during the negotiations with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), which led to signing of a peace treaty on July 18, 1997, ending the three decade old armed hostilities between the Republic of the Philippines and the MILF.[1] He also served as the 20th Secretary of the Department of National Defense from September 16, 1997 to June 30, 1998.[1]

During the height of the Impeachment trial of President Joseph Estrada, Abat along with his colleagues in the Association of General and Flag Officers (AGFO) called for the resignation of the President through a Manifesto.[3]

Abat finally was appointed as the President & CEO of the John Hay Poro Point Development Corp. by Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.[4]

Later life

Despite in retirement, Abat has continued to play a role in Philippine politics, without escaping controversy. Abat, who formed the National Coalition for Solidarity (NCS) and the Movement for National Salvation (MVS) called on for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.[5]

In December 2005, Abat was arrested after he called on the formation of a revolutionary government, of which he is the new President of the Philippines, and called on the resignation of Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in view of the latter's allegations of corruption.[6]

On August 15, 2006, Abat called for the abolishment of the Philippine Government and the Philippine Constitution, and the creation of a "Transition Government" of "Discipline and Authoritative Governance" where "All the three (3) branches of government are collectively responsible and accountable to the President that has oversight power over the discharge of their functions and responsibilities. Focus of governance. Governance is focused on the civil service and the military and police service."[7]

Awards and distinctions

See also

References
  1. "20th DND Secretary". Department of National Defense. Archived from the original on December 9, 2010. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
  2. "AGFO Abat Profile". Archived from the original on November 10, 2010. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
  3. "Chronology of the Impeachment Trial of Joseph Estrada". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on February 13, 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
  4. "Gloria's People". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on September 25, 2009. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
  5. "No Permit, No Rally". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
  6. Sarah Toms (December 15, 2005). "Philippines' Coup General held". BBC News. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
  7. "E-mails from Maj. Gen. Fortunato Abat". Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
Military offices
Preceded by
Rafael Z. Zagala		 Commanding General of the Philippine Army
March 28, 1976 – March 28, 1981		 Succeeded by
Josephus G. Ramas
Political offices
Preceded by
Renato de Villa		 Secretary of National Defense
September 16, 1997 - June 30, 1998		 Succeeded by
Orly Mercado
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