Fortunato Abat (June 10, 1925 – March 7, 2018) was a Filipino

major general Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of ...

who served as the 20th Secretary of the

Department of National Defense Department of Defence or Department of Defense may refer to: Current departments of defence * Department of Defence (Australia) * Department of National Defence (Canada) * Department of Defence (Ireland) * Department of National Defense (Philippi ...

(DND), Ambassador to the

People's Republic of China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and ...

, and

Commanding General of the Philippine Army The Commanding General of the Philippine Army (CGPA) is the overall commander and senior general of the Philippine Army, the ground warfare branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It is normally held by a three-star rank of Lieutenant Gener ...

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 Manila ( , ; fil, Maynila, ), officially the City of Manila ( fil, Lungsod ng Maynila, ), is the capital of the Philippines, and its second-most populous city. It is highly urbanized and, as of 2019, was the world's most densely populate ...

from 1932 to 1939, then in Araullo High School, 1939–41. His secondary education was abruptly halted by the Japanese invasion during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

. As a young teenager, he entered the

Philippine Army The Philippine Army (PA) (Tagalog: ''Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas''; in literal English: ''Army of the Ground of the Philippines''; in literal Spanish: ''Ejército de la Tierra de la Filipinas'') is the main, oldest and largest branch of the ...

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.

Military

Abat entered the

Philippine Military Academy The Philippine Military Academy ( fil, Akademiyang Militar ng Pilipinas / es, Academia Militar de Filipinas) also referred to by its acronym PMA is the premier military academy for Filipinos aspiring for a commission as a military officer of ...

right after finishing his high school diploma, and graduated in the Class of '51, and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the

. Along with 2nd Lieutenant

Fidel V. Ramos Fidel Valdez Ramos (, ; March 18, 1928 – July 31, 2022), popularly known as FVR and Eddie Ramos, was a Filipino general and politician who served as the 12th president of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998. He was the only career military ...

, Abat joined the

Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea The Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK) ( Filipino: ''Puwersang Expedisyonarya ng Pilipinas sa Korea'' or ''PEPK,'' Spanish: ''Fuerza Expedicionaria Filipina a Corea'' or ''FEFC,'' ) was the Philippine Army contingent of the United N ...

(PEFTOK), where he served with distinction under the

United Nations The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmoniz ...

flag. 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 Cambodia (; also Kampuchea ; km, កម្ពុជា, UNGEGN: ), officially the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochinese Peninsula in Southeast Asia, spanning an area of , bordered by Thailan ...

. He also was sent with the Philippine Delegation to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Meetings of

SEATO The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) was an international organization for collective defense in Southeast Asia created by the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty, or Manila Pact, signed in September 1954 in Manila, the Philipp ...

Intelligence Assessment Committee in

Bangkok Bangkok, officially known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. The city occupies in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estimated populati ...

Thailand Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning , with a population of almost 70 million. The country is b ...

. 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). Maj. Gen. Abat finally served as

from March 28, 1976, to March 28, 1981. 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 The New People's Army ( fil, Bagong Hukbong Bayan), abbreviated NPA or BHB, is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), based primarily in the Philippine countryside. It acts as the CPP's principal organization, aim ...

in Eastern Samar, a year after graduating from the

. 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 China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and ...

where he served from May 1981 until after

EDSA Revolution The People Power Revolution, also known as the EDSA Revolution or the February Revolution, was a series of popular demonstrations in the Philippines, mostly in Metro Manila, from February 22 to 25, 1986. There was a sustained campaign of c ...

in April 1986. Upon his return from his Ambassadorship in PROC, Abat was first appointed as the Administrator of the

Philippine Veterans Affairs Office The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) (Filipino: ''Tanggapan para sa Kapakanan ng mga Beteranong Pilipino'') is the Philippine agency for Filipino war veterans. Under the Department of National Defense, PVAO serves to fulfill a national co ...

(PVAO), a DND agency. Later on, he was named Undersecretary of National Defense (USND) during the term of Defense Secretary

Rafael Ileto Rafael Manio Ileto (October 24, 1920 – June 19, 2003) was a Filipino general who served as the 22nd Secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND) of the Philippines. He also became the Vice Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the P ...

. He also served as USND during the term of then Defense Secretary

, but he left the department and was designated Deputy Director General to Secretary Rafael Ileto who later headed the National Security Council (NSC). During the presidency of

Fidel Ramos Fidel Valdez Ramos (, ; March 18, 1928 – July 31, 2022), popularly known as FVR and Eddie Ramos, was a Filipino general and politician who served as the 12th president of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998. He was the only career military ...

, Abat was the Chairman of the Peace Panel of the

Philippine Government The Government of the Philippines ( fil, Pamahalaan ng Pilipinas) has three interdependent branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The Philippines is governed as a unitary state under a presidential representative and d ...

during the negotiations with the

Moro National Liberation Front The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF; ar, الجبهة الوطنية لتحرير مورو) is a political organization in the Philippines that was founded in 1972. It started as a splinter group of the Muslim Independence Movement. The ...

(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. He also served as the 20th Secretary of the Department of National Defense from September 16, 1997, to June 30, 1998. During the height of the

impeachment trial An impeachment trial is a trial that functions as a component of an impeachment. Several governments utilize impeachment trials as a part of their processes for impeachment, but differ as to when in the impeachment process trials take place and how ...

of President

Joseph Estrada Joseph Ejercito Estrada, (; born Jose Marcelo Ejercito; April 19, 1937), also known by the nickname Erap, is a Filipino politician and former actor. He served as the 13th president of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001, the 9th vice presi ...

, Abat along with his colleagues in the Association of General and Flag Officers (AGFO) called for the resignation of the President through a Manifesto. Abat finally was appointed as the President & CEO of the John Hay Poro Point Development Corp. by Pres.

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Maria Gloria Macaraeg Macapagal Arroyo (, born April 5, 1947), often referred to by her initials GMA, is a Filipino academic and politician serving as one of the House Deputy Speakers since 2022, and previously from 2016 to 2017. She previously ...

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

. 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 The president of the Philippines ( fil, Pangulo ng Pilipinas, sometimes referred to as ''Presidente ng Pilipinas'') is the head of state, head of government and chief executive of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of t ...

, and called on the resignation of Pres.

in view of the latter's allegations of corruption. On August 15, 2006, Abat called for the abolishment of the

and the

Philippine Constitution The Constitution of the Philippines ( Filipino: ''Saligang Batas ng Pilipinas'' or ''Konstitusyon ng Pilipinas'', Spanish: ''Constitución de la República de Filipinas'') is the constitution or the supreme law of the Republic of the Philippine ...

, 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."

Awards and distinctions

Distinguished Conduct Star The Distinguished Conduct StarThe AFP Adjutant General, ''AFP Awards and Decorations Handbook'', 1997, OTAG, p. 13-14. is the second highest military award of the Philippines, preceded in precedence only by the Medal of Valor. The award was esta ...

Distinguished Service Star The Distinguished Service Star is the third highest military award of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It is awarded for eminently meritorious and valuable service rendered while holding a position of great responsibility. Description of the ...

(3) *

PHL Presidential Award and Order of the Golden Heart until (2005) BAR

Presidential Golden Heart Award * PHL Legion of Honor - Commander BAR

Commander of the

Philippine Legion of Honor The Philippine Legion of Honor ( fil, Lehiyong Pandangal ng Pilipinas; es, Legion de Honor Filipino) was established by President Manuel Roxas, through Philippine Army Circular No. 60 dated July 3, 1947. The Philippine Legion of Honor was patterne ...

Outstanding Achievement Medal The Outstanding Achievement MedalThe AFP Adjutant General, ''AFP Awards and Decorations Handbook'', 1997, OTAG, p. 23. is a single grade decoration of the Philippines awarded by the Secretary of National Defense. Criteria The medal is awarded by ...

Philippine Liberation Medal The Philippine Liberation Medal is a military award of the Republic of the Philippines which was created by an order of Commonwealth Army of the Philippines Headquarters on 20 December 1944, and was issued as the Philippine Liberation Ribbon. The d ...

Presidential Unit Citation (Philippines)

Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation The Philippine Presidential Unit citation BadgeThe AFP Adjutant General, ''Awards and Decorations Handbook'', 1997, OTAG, p. 65. is a unit decoration of the Republic of the Philippines. It has been awarded to certain units of the United States mil ...

Military Merit Medal * AFP Long Service Medal

Long Service Medal * PHL Korean Campaign Medal ribbon

Korean Service Medal The Korean Service Medal (KSM) is a military award for service in the United States Armed Forces and was established November 8, 1950 by executive order of President Harry Truman. The Korean Service Medal is the primary US military award for s ...

Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal * The Luzon Anti-dissidence Campaign Medal

Luzon Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal Luzon (; ) is the largest and most populous List of islands in the Philippines, island in the Philippines. Located in the northern portion of the List of islands of the Philippines, Philippines archipelago, it is the economic and political cen ...

Mindanao Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal *

Combat Commander's (Kagitingan) Badge * United Nations Service Medal Korea ribbon

United Nations Service Medal The United Nations Service Medal for Korea (UNKM) is an international military decoration established by the United Nations on December 12, 1950 as the United Nations Service Medal. The decoration was the first international award ever created by t ...

KHM Royal Order of Monisaraphon - Commander

Commander of the

Royal Order of Monisaraphon The Royal Order of Monisaraphon ( km, គ្រឿងឥស្សរិយយសមុនីសារាភ័ណ្ឌ) was founded by King Sisowath of Cambodia on 1 February 1905. It is conferred for accomplishment and outstanding support in the ...

(Cambodia) * Kartika Eksa Paksi Medal & Sword of Indonesia (Degree of Cmdr) * Cheon-Su Security Medal Ribbon

Cheon-Su Medal of the

Order of National Security Merit The Order of National Security Merit (Hangul: 보국훈장) is one of South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land b ...

(Korea) *

Presidential Unit Citation (Korea) *

Order of the Crown of Thailand - 1st Class (Thailand) ribbon

Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Noble

Order of the Crown of Thailand The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand ( th, เครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์อันมีเกียรติยศยิ่งมงกุฎไทย; ) is a Thai order, established in 1869 by King Rama ...

Commander of the Legion of Merit (United States) * US Congressional Gold Medal for Filipino Veterans of World War II (posthumous; 2022)

References

External links