IN MEMORIAM

  

 

 

 

GOVERNOR RUPERTO A. AMBIL, JR—IN MEMORIAM.

by Yelina Pinarok, Private Secretary of Governor Ruperto A. Ambil, Jr

 

Regarded by many as THE BEST GOVERNOR Eastern Samar ever had, honored by the Diocese of Borongan—and the only government leader so distinguished during its 50th year anniversary–with the “Bishop Reyes Leadership Award” in recognition of his exemplary leadership (“zero corruption, and honest, transparent and sincere leadership”), and known as the first Estehanon to earn the rank of 3-star lieutenant general in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), former Eastern Samar Governor Ruperto Ambil, Jr joined his Creator to receive his eternal reward on July 21, 2012 at the age of 71.

A product of military institutions of excellence (including OCS Portsea, Australia and USACGSC, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, US), Ambil rose from the ranks of Master Sergeant to Lieutenant General. During his 35 years in the military service, he earned numerous medals and awards of recognition, the highest of which were the Philippine Legion of Honor, 4 Distinguished Service Stars and 2 Gold Cross medals. But his formation was not purely military; he also prepared for peace through formal courses in Foreign Service, and earned AB degree and MA in National Security Administration. He received specialized training on the problems and politics of developing countries and management consultancy for small and medium industries at the University of the Philippines Institute of Small Scale Industries.

As a military man, he served as [1] Battalion Commander of the 9th Infantry (Sandigan) Battalion, which he organized, trained and commanded in the fiercest battle in Jolo, Basilan, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga de Norte from 1974 and 1979; [2] Deputy Commander for Civil-Military Operations of Regional Unified Command 8; [3] Faculty Member at the AFP Command and General Staff College; [4] Brigade Commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, earning his 1st Star; [5] Deputy Chief of Staff for Reserved Affairs and Retirees at GHQ; [6] Commanding General of the 8th Infantry Division, introducing the persuasive approach to the insurgency problem; [7] Commander of the AFP Forces in the Visayas (Regions 6,7 and 8) or VISCOM, earning his 2nd Star; and [8] Commander of the Southern Command, the most sensitive and biggest command of the AFP which consisted of air, naval, ground and police forces in the whole Mindanao (Regions 9, 10, 11, 12, ARRM, CARAGA), during which tenure he was promoted to Lt. General.

Governor Ambil was a man of faith. He was a regular Sunday Mass churchgoer. When he was governor, he used to lead the provincial government heads in coming to the Borongan Cathedral for Sunday Mass, after which they had breakfast and held informal meeting at the Merchweiler Hall. While he was serving the AFP, he built chapels, raised crosses and, being a Marian devotee, pursued the grotto project in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary in every patron base in Samar island, and in the Visayas and Mindanao.

That he was aware of his civic duties could be seen in his membership in several organizations, including the UP Vanguard Incorporated, Beta Sigma Alumni Association, Knights of Rizal, Rotary Club, Philippine Eagles, Association of Generals and Flag Officers, Alumni of Royal Military Schools (ARMS), Boy Scout of the Philippines, Veterans Federation of the Philippines, Sandigan Battalion Brotherhood, and Fraternal Organization of ROTC, Reservists and Veterans.

LGen Ruperto Ambil served as the 4th Governor of Eastern Samar from 1998 to 2001. As chief executive, he improved the provincial government organization and emphasized workable Development Plans and Empowerment of the Barangay. Provincial government employees used to recall that when he descended from his office as governor, Lt Gen Ambil, in a manner without precedent, left about P70 million at the coffers for the use of the incoming set of provincial officials. At the time of his demise, he was Chair, UP-UP Samar Island Movement, Inc.; Chair, BSP Eastern Samar Council; Post Commander, Borongan Veterans Post; District Commander, Eastern Samar Veterans District; Chapter Commander, Knights of Rizal Borongan; and National Chair, Fraternal Organization of ROTC, Reservists and Veterans (FORVETS).

Ruperto Ambil, Jr was born on January 18, 1941 in Cagayan de Oro City to Dr Ruperto Ambil and Sabina Asis of Borongan. He is survived by his wife, Anna Dilao Langomes, with whom he had 5 children.

May he rest in peace.

 

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(Ret.) Lt Gen Ruperto Ambil (left) District Commander, Eastern Samar Chapter and Vice-President, VFP Region 8 and Brig Gen Joel Joseph Cabides (right) Regional President, VFP-SDAI Region 8 Chapter light the Veterans Torch for Peace during the Commemorative Program in connection with the 63rd Leyte Landing Gulf Landings celebration at the MacArthur Memorial National Park in Candahug, Palo, Leyte , October 20, 2007. (Photo by Vino R. Cuayzon, Philippine Information Agency)

 


Eulogy for Retired Lt. General Ruperto A. Ambil, Jr.
Former South Commander in Chief

by Anggie Angliongto

 

Dear Sis Anna and Children,

It is with deep sadness that I share with you today, the remarkable passion of my brod, Gen. Pert Ambil, Jr. being one of the few public servants who are close to Mindanaoans. He served as a South Commander in Chief at the time of President Fidel V. Ramos. It was during his stint as South Com Chief that he did a good job by contributing to the realization of University of the Philippines in Mindanao on February 21, 1995. Included in the 204 hectares of land, now owned by the UP Mindanao system, is the Camp Gabriel where the 55th Brigade was stationed, which has been there since the time of President Marcos as a living testament of the critical chaos situation during the martial law. It was during his leadership that the peace and order was contained.

The 55th Brigade through him during our initial discussion saw forth the beginning of partnership for the turnover of the dilapidated campsite and transferred it for the use of the University of the Philippines for Mindanao.

In 2006, with the help of our fraternity brothers from the Federation of Beta Sigma Chapters of North America, one of the dilapidated buildings was repaired and restored. Thus, the establishment of the UP Mindanao Infirmary, better known as the Betan Clinic.

It is in this light that I thought of sharing this story of him as former South Com Chief, and his contribution to the UPMin community. As for me, he will always be a part of the history of the University of the Philippines – Mindanao.

We know that in this kind of gathering, there is a saying that “everyone will go” one day and that there is a heavenly world waiting for us up there. And we find comfort in knowing that he is now at peace with our Almighty Creator.

Thank you Brod Pert and we bid you farewell for now, until we meet again.

 

 

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MESSAGES

 

 

To all brods,


It is with deep regrets to announce that a great UP Betan passed away at 1am today. Brod General Ruperto Ambil, Jr., Batch '59, age 71, succumbed to a heart attack this morning. Let us give our condolences and prayers to the Ambil family. Their grief is shared by our brotherhood.

Salamat po.
Rolly Reyes'66, 7-21-12

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Just opened my e-mail today and heard the sad news of Brod Rupert Ambil Jr.'s passing away. He was my ROTC commander during my ROTC years in UP. May his soul rest in peace and my condolences to the family.

Leo Acosta'66, 7-30-12

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