"With my limited knowledge of how they think and act as persons, I sincerely believe in their brand of moral courage, integrity and loyalty."
-Col Ruel Rombaoa (Ret), insights on his classmates(Former Army Captains Geri Gambala, Milo Maestrecampo, and Alvin H. Ebreo)
in PMA in the recent shakeout in the Bureu of Customs, ...
Col Rombaoa added, "they joined the so-called "Oakwood Mutiny" in 2003 based on their personal convictions, accepted wholeheartedly through God's grace and wisdom their incarceration and the court's verdict several years after, moved on with their lives silently after release from prison, set aside their new-found comfort zones to pursue their quest for reform at the BOC."
In the height the recent BOC shakeout, Former Army Cpt Gerardo Gambala, the leader of the failed Oakwood Mutiny who fought against alledged corruption in the Government is now being dragged into the controversy along with his fellow mutineers.
Who is Cpt. Gerardo "Gerry" Gambala?
KASPOG as he is widely known to us in the AFP, short for a Nickname "KASI-POGI" entered Philippine Military Academy in 1991 and graduated as a TOP Cadet in his Class in 1995.
He came from humble beginnings. He once lived with his family beside a Railway. After graduating as a Class Valedictorian in the PMA Class MARILAG 95', Cpt Gambala joined the ARMY Branch. He later joined the elite Scout Rangers and volunteered to be assigned in Mindanao during the ALL OUT WAR in 2000.
As a young Officer he lead his men to many victories and successful campaigns in Jolo, Zamboanga, and Basilan. He was Decorated Officer althrough his Military Career. He was Awarded the Gold Cross Award and Silver Stars 2nd and 3rd highest medal of bravery in the AFP for his bravery and skills shown in combat and encounters with the Abu Sayyaf Bandits.
His hard earned combat medals resembles his humbleness and sharpness in service. He was the silent type of Officer, known for his charisma that all his men would willing to go with him in harms way anytime and anywhere.
Disillusioned in the service, he became the Brain and among the the Leaders of the MAGDALO and attempted to takeover the Arroyo Administration during the failed coup that was also known as the OAKWOOD MUTINY. Cpt Gambala and Sen. Trillanes were Classmates in the PMA. Sen. Trillanes was in the NAVY and was the SPOKESMAN of the MAGDALO and eventually gained popularity in the Media which led to a senate seat, but Capt. Gambala who was in the ARMY and was the silent type and deep Officer who rarely talks and seen in the mainstream was charged with TREASON, MUTINY, and REBELLION and was sentenced to LIFE IMPRISONMENT and was DISCHARGE in the Military service.
After 5 long years of being detained Cpt. Gambala was released from detention.
Cpt Gambala was converted to be a Devoted Christian inside the Military Prison and choose to be an ordinary Civilian after incarceration and went out of the Military. He later became a Civilian Minister of God living a peaceful life with his family.
Until now, soldiers never forget that there was once a Capt. Gambala who fought and stand for their rights.
Hero of Siocon
Cpt Gambala is also known as the "HERO OF SIOCON "
He was the Commander of the Scout Ranger unit who rescued the foreign hostages by the Abu Sayyaf in Palawan and He was the officer who led the Rangers that rescued the American Missionaries Hostages in Basilan successfully.
Second Shot at Serving the Country.
After being elected in May 2016 election, President Rodrigo R Duterte appointed former Cpt Nicanor Faeldon as the Chief of Bureu of Customs. Cpt Gambala would later join Commisioner Faeldon in a bid reform the BOC.
The BOC is under scrutiny over the discovery of a massive shabu shipment from China amounting to P6.4 billion in Valenzuela City that slipped through Customs inspection.
He and few others are now being accused of receiving from the "tara system", a corrupt practice they swore to eradicate.
He denied the allegations thrown to him.
Who thinks he is guilty?
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