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Thursday, October 10, 2024

Querubin Unveils Senate Platform Focused on Combating Hunger, Education Reform, and National Security

Ariel Querubin, one of the Philippines’ most decorated military officers and a Medal of Valor recipient, has officially entered the 2025 senatorial race by filing his certificate of candidacy (COC) on October 7, 2024. The retired Marine colonel, known for his legendary contributions to national security, arrived at the Manila Hotel Tent City with strong backing from his family, as well as former generals and officers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Philippine National Police (PNP).

 

Querubin is running under the Nacionalista Party but made a notable declaration: he intends to steer clear of the traditional political slates. “My loyalty is to the people, not to any political slates. Joining a slate would mean choosing sides, and that is not what I stand for," he stated. Instead, he is open to joining a coalition of independents, emphasizing his dedication to a non-partisan agenda that prioritizes the welfare of the nation, promotes good governance, and uplifts the poor.


Querubin’s platform reflects a deep sense of service and purpose, honed through decades of military experience. He aims to address three key issues in the Senate: combating widespread hunger, enhancing the education system, and strengthening national security. "I want to fulfill my dream of a country where no one goes hungry and where every child, especially those who are often forced to sacrifice for their families, can receive a quality education," Querubin said. On the issue of national defense, he stressed the urgency of protecting the Philippines’ territorial sovereignty, particularly in the West Philippine Sea. “As a retired Marine, I cannot sit back and watch while our country is continuously bullied in the West Philippine Sea. We will fight for our rights, for our security, and for our future.”


Querubin’s life story is nothing short of extraordinary. In 1991, during a fierce battle, he was hit by a rocket fired from a Sikorsky helicopter. The explosion left him clinically dead, and he was placed among lifeless bodies in the Quirino Labor Hospital morgue. In a miraculous turn of events, a doctor noticed a slight twitch from the ring on his finger, and he was rushed to the AFP Medical Center, where he underwent 13 hours of surgery. Surgeons removed part of his liver and intestines and repaired his pancreas. Against all odds, he survived. Reflecting on that moment, Querubin said, “During mass evacuation, they tend to those who have better chances of survival. And so, they put me together with the other lifeless bodies.”

 

Querubin’s 30-year military career is filled with acts of bravery and sacrifice. He sustained 67 battle wounds during his service and participated in numerous critical missions. In one of the most grueling battles of his career, Querubin and his battalion fought against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for 24 consecutive hours, leading to the capture of the MILF’s 3rd Brigade. Although the battle was a victory, Querubin recalls the emotional and physical exhaustion he felt after the fight. “I had never felt so exhausted; I hadn’t had a meal for a full day, but I did not feel hungry, only relieved—maybe even a bit euphoric. At any rate, definitely thankful to have emerged victorious and alive from one of the bitterest and most desperate battles I had fought.”

 

Querubin’s legacy extends beyond individual battles. Throughout his career, he played a pivotal role in several key military operations that helped shape the Philippines’ national security landscape. In the 1980s, he was awarded the prestigious Gold Cross Medal for leading an operation that neutralized a group of New People’s Army (NPA) forces in Palawan. He was also involved in the neutralization of top-ranking Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) officials, such as provincial chairman Jessie Rafael, and the rescue of a Swiss national, Hans Kunzli, who was held captive by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

 

Querubin’s leadership was again on display in the 1990s when he helped neutralize the notorious Barahama Sali, an operation that led to the release of hostage Fr. Cirilio Nacorda. He also led the mission that resulted in the death of Abu Sayyaf leader Abu Sabaya, a key figure in terrorist activities in the southern Philippines. For his role in capturing the MILF’s Camp Mack in Lanao del Norte in 2001, where his battalion fought under heavy fire and in near-total darkness, Querubin was awarded the Medal of Valor by then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Up to this day, Arroyo refers to Querubin as “my hero.”

 

Querubin’s career wasn’t without controversy. He was involved in political movements that led to a failed coup and subsequent imprisonment, but even during his incarceration, he remained steadfast in his values. "God had to take away my freedom to make me realize that career is not everything in life, and that I have a family to take care of," Querubin reflected during his retirement. His experience of fighting for what he believed was right and navigating the complex moral landscape of military service is deeply rooted in his values of courage, integrity, and loyalty.

 

Querubin's family also plays a crucial role in his life, shaping his personal and public philosophies. His stepson, Cocolife CEO Martin Loon, and Marine Captain John Michael Loon, a bemedaled officer who was wounded in the battle of Marawi, have followed in his footsteps, serving the nation with the same dedication and patriotism. Querubin often reminds his children that the only legacy he can leave them is his good name.

 

After his unsuccessful senatorial run in 2010, Querubin briefly retired from public life, working as an internal security consultant for San Miguel Corporation under its president, Ramon Ang. However, in 2021, the Philippine Marines held a special retirement ceremony in his honor, 12 years after his actual retirement, marking the official end of his storied military career. The ceremony was attended by political figures, business leaders, and longtime friends, including Deputy Speaker Rosemarie Arenas, Senator Grace Poe, Senator Sonny Angara, and Bilyonaryo Manny Villar.

 

As Querubin embarks on his new political journey, his life story of resilience, loyalty, and unwavering service to the Filipino people continues to inspire. His upcoming book, A Question of Valor, is expected to provide even deeper insights into his extraordinary life and legacy, shedding light on the man behind the medals and the courage that defined his career.

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