Ariel Querubin

Ariel O. Querubin
Born	(1956-03-28) 28 March 1956 Dagupan, Philippines
Allegiance	Philippines
Service/branch	Philippine Marine Corps
Years of service	1979-2010
Rank	Colonel
Service number	0-7901
Unit	Philippine Marine Corps
Commands held	Marine Battalion Landing Team-1 1st Marine Brigade
Battles/wars	Communist rebellion in the Philippines Moro conflict 1989 Philippine coup attempt 2000 Philippine campaign against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
Awards	Medal of Valor Distinguished Conduct Star Distinguished Service Star (3) Gold Cross (7) Military Merit Medal (12)

Ariel Oliva Querubin is a retired Philippine Marine Corps officer and a recipient of the Philippines' highest military award for courage, the Medal of Valor. He is the most decorated soldier in the Philippines.

Early life and education

Querubin was born in Dagupan, Pangasinan. He grew up in La Union and studied in Manila. He was a member of the leftist student group Samahang Demokratiko ng Kabataan ("Democratic Association of Youth") until he attended the Philippine Military Academy, graduating in 1979. He then opted to become an officer in the Philippine Marine Corps.

In 2003, Querubin obtained his Masters in Defense Studies from the University of Canberra, Australia.

Military career

Querubin is celebrated as one of the most bemedalled officers in Philippine history having a total of 49 medals. In particular, he is the recipient of the Medal of Valor, the military’s highest honor for one who has displayed the most exemplary heroism and sacrifice in combat.

Querubin has been an active participant in various military operations during the ongoing Communist rebellion in the Philippines and the Moro conflict. He is credited with the neutralization of various rebel leaders of both the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army and the Moro National Liberation Front, including CPP-NPA provincial chairman Jessie Rafael in 1981, four MNLF commanders in 1983, the NPA commander known as "Ka Ninong" and MNLF commander Racquel Carreon, both in 1988. He is also said to have been involved in the rescue of Hans Kunzli, a Swiss national kidnapped by a group led by a former member of the Moro National Liberation Front.

Participation in the 1987 coup attempt

Main article: 1986–90 Philippine coup attempts § August 1987 coup attempt

On 28 August 1987, Reform the Armed Forces Movement rebels led by Gregorio Honasan attempted to oust President Corazon Aquino. They attacked Malacañang Palace, Camp Aguinaldo and Villamor Air Base. Querubin, along with Red Kapunan and Juancho Sabban, attempted to bring Philippine Military Academy cadets from Baguio to Manila to provide support for Honasan.

Participation in the 1989 coup attempt

Main article: 1989 Philippine coup attempt

In 1989, then-Captain Querubin was a co-founder of the Young Officers' Union (YOU). The YOU, along with another group known as the "Soldiers of the Filipino People" (SFP) and the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM) participated in the attempted ouster against Corazon Aquino's government. He almost died in clashes with troops loyal to the government. Some reports indicate that he suffered from a gunshot wound; Querubin himself stated that he was wounded by a rocket blast during clashes in Camp Aguinaldo. The miliitary exercise eventually failed and Querubin and his comrades were detained. They were granted amnesty during the administration of Fidel Ramos, who succeeded Corazon Aquino as president.

Re-entry into military service

Querubin re-entered military service after being granted amnesty. In 1994, he was credited with the neutralization of Barahama Sali, which led to the eventual release from captivity of Catholic priest Fr. Cirilo Nacorda who had been kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan. He was also involved in the 2002 operation that killed Abu Sayyaf spokesperson Abu Sabaya.

2000 Philippines-MILF War ("Battle of Kauswagan")

Main article: 2000 Philippine campaign against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front

In 2000 Querubin, now a lieutenant colonel, was conferred the Armed Forces of the Philippines' highest honor, the Medal of Valor for leading a military operation against 300 Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters in Lanao del Norte. Medal of Valor citation:

LIEUTENANT COLONEL ARIEL O. QUERUBIN 0-7901 Philippine Navy (Marines)(GSC)

For acts of conspicuous courage, gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer, Marine Battalion Landing Team-1, Philippine Marine Corps., Philippine Navy during a 24-hour firefight against an estimated 300 fully armed men belonging to the separatists Moro Islamic Liberation Front at Brgy. Inudaran, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte from 18 to 19 March 2000. Tasked to capture the formidable MILF Camp John Mack (ABDULLATEF), headquarters of the 303rd Brigade, 3rd Field Division of the MILF commanded by the notorious Abdul Rahman G. Macapaar, alias Commander Bravo, LIEUTENANT COLONEL QUERUBIN spearheaded the 1st MBLT composed of 117 officers and men in this hazardous mission against the enemy, superior in numbers and mastery of the terrain, and believed responsible for the spate of bombings in Central Mindanao and the siege of and hostage-taking at Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte. On or about 1815H March 2000, while enroute to their objective, he and his men were subjected to heavy volume of fire by rebels from their well-entrenched dug outs, bunkers and trenches. Unable to maneuver due to darkness and intense devastating fires from both heavy and light machineguns, B-40 rockets, mortar and snipers, he nevertheless ordered his men to hold the line and directed the Special Operations Squad to close in on the enemy camp and pinpoint its location to the Marines battalion artillery supporting fires, and the V-300 and V-150 armored vehicles to dislodge the enemy from their heavily fortified bunkers. Unmindful of his own safety, LIEUTENANT COLONEL QUERUBIN continuously moved from one forward position to another, thus drawing enemy fires to his own location, purposely to pinpoint enemy targets for their artillery support fires. The battle which had raged continuously until the following day, did not deter him from rallying his men in repulsing wave after wave of enemy reinforcement and continued assaults in their attempt to encircle his unit. Despite dwindling ammunition and increasing casualties on their side, subject officer never lost his aggressive spirit as he continued to move around while urging and inspiring his men, included the wounded, to continue. Under his inspiring leadership, his men fought ferociously forcing the enemy’s last line of defense to collapse and sending them scampering to different directions along with their dead and wounded and leaving behind their vaunted rocket launchers and high-powered firearms as well as documents of high intelligence value. The capture of Camp John Mack resulted in the neutralization of the MILF’s most strategic staging area for operations and, more importantly, liberated the residents along the coastal municipalities of Lanao del Norte from the oppressive MILF revolutionary collection estimated at P38M annually. By this gallant deed, LIEUTENANT COLONOL QUERUBIN distinguished himself in combat in the finest tradition of Filipino Soldiery.

2002 Operation against ASG's Abu Sabaya

ASG leader Abu Sabaya held captive missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham who were kidnapped in May 2001 while vacationing for their 18^th wedding anniversary. On 21 June 2002, a team led by Querubin, aided by US forces and equipment, tracked Sabaya who was killed in a firefight at sea.

2006 Fort Bonifacio standoff

Main article: 2006 state of emergency in the Philippines

On 24 February 2006, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued a proclamation declaring a state of emergency in the Philippines after her government foiled a supposed coup plot called Oplan HACKLE. Fourteen junior military officers had been arrested two days before. In the wake of the proclamation, on 26 February 2006, Major General Renato Miranda, the Philippine Marine Corps Commandant, was relieved from his post. Colonel Querubin protested his removal and some Marines started a vigil at Fort Bonifacio. Querubin stated that they would wait there for the people to protect them. Meanwhile, other government security forces loyal to Arroyo locked down Fort Bonifacio, sealing in the protesting Marines. The standoff was resolved that evening. Querubin was detained at Camp Aguinaldo and recommended to undergo pretrial investigation and facing a mutiny charge.

In 2010, President Benigno Aquino III issued Proclamation No. 50, granting amnesty to military personnel linked to the 2003 Oakwood mutiny, the 2006 Fort Bonifacio standoff and the 2007 Manila Peninsula siege.

Retirement

Querubin was deemed resigned on 30 November 2009 but her retired formally on 23 December 2021 when the Philippine Marine Corps tendered his long awaited retirement and testimonial ceremony.

Querubin worked as an internal security consultant for San Miguel Corporation after being granted amnesty. He resigned his commission from the Armed Forces of the Philippines when he ran for a Senate seat as a member of the Nacionalista Party during the 2010 elections. His candidacy was not successful, only garnering 6.5 million votes and landing him in 19th place in the senatorial race. He supported Grace Poe's candidacy during the 2016 Presidential election.

Personal life

Querubin has five children. His first wife, Dr. Loreta Cercenia-Querubin, bore him two - Alfred Benjamin and Francesca Eufrosina. She died in 1994 at the age of 31, and Querubin has remarried; his second wife is Pong Azcarraga Querubin, who bore him three children, Jose Ariel, Ariel, and John Ariel.

See also

• Custodio Parcon