www.bgenlim.blogspot.com

Who is BGen Danilo Lim?

By Col.(ret) Romeo Lim
Malaya
April 22, 2006

I want to take time out today to write about a man I greatly admire. It may be biased, but I have no apologies. In these times of endless shenanigans perpetuated by people who are supposed to serve our country and people, this man shines as a small candle in a sea of callousness and indifference.

The roots of newly promoted Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim can be traced to Xiamen, China, formerly Amoy. His father married a girl from Bohol but Danny, as he is called by both friends and detractors, was born and raised in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya. He is the youngest of five brothers.

He finished elementary and high school in Solano with flying colors. He was in his first year at UP when he took the entrance exams to the Philippine Military Academy. He topped the exams.

While a plebe, he took the entrance exam to the US Military Academy at West Point, one of the world’s premier military academies. He topped the exams.

After graduation, he returned to the country, took the Scout Ranger Course where he graduated not only No. 1 but also led his team in registering the only encounter of the class during their test mission. He opted to be assigned to Jolo after that. He commanded the forward Recon Unit of the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division in Sulu where his name became a byword due to his combat exploits. He was wounded twice in combat.

Then AFP chief Gen. Romeo Espino noticed this officer and promptly directed GHQ to transfer then Lt. Lim to his alma mater, PMA, for instructor duty. He stayed for a few years then packed his bags again for the US to take up the Advanced Infantry Course at the Infantry School in Fort Benning, Georgia. He not only topped the course but was also awarded the Distinguished Allied Student Award for that year. When he returned, he joined the First Scout Ranger Regiment as chief of operations.

In 1989, then Capt. Lim led the Makati siege that lasted seven days. The failed coup attempt resulted in his incarceration for two years. He was released during the Ramos administration after the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement between government and the military rebels. He was a member of the RAM-SFP-YOU peace panel in the negotiations.

Moving on with his life, Lim took the Command and General Staff course which he again topped. He ran off with seven of the eight awards given by the school. Only the physical fitness award called the “Tarzan Award” slipped through his fingers and was given to a much younger officer.

He later commanded the 42nd Infantry Battalion where he again made a name for himself for the various combat accomplishments of his unit. He also endeared himself to the Bicolanos in Camarines Sur where his battalion was based.

He then became deputy commander of the First Scout Ranger Regiment and later regiment commander.

BGen. Lim is married with a daughter still in high school. Despite all his achievements and accolades, this soft-spoken and modest officer does not have his own house yet – in direct contrast to his siblings who occupy senior positions in huge corporations (also in direct contrast to some AFP officers we know). He has consciously chosen to live a simple life dedicated to serving his country and people.
In six years, he will be bowing out of the military service.

I take my hat off to this officer and gentleman whose values and principles seem to be dying traits in this mess of an AFP. We need more people like him if we are to even hope to lift our country out the quagmire it is in.

So today, I greet all the other people who are not like BGen. Danilo Lim: Mabuhay ang mga kurakot sa gobyerno ni GMA!

TRILLANES TO STAY ‘CONNECTED’ WITH CONSTITUENTS

Baseline bill a priority among 138 filed, says new website www.senator.trillanes.org

Detained senator Antonio Trillanes continues the campaign against government corruption in his redesigned website.

The site, lists the 138 bills filed by Trillanes while incarcerated at the Camp Crame Custodial Center for rebellion charges.

These include legislation on the country’s archipelagic baselines, and the alleged ‘Spratly Deal’ leading to overpriced loans from anomalous transactions with China.

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) had earlier required the passage of such a law by May 2009 as basis for claims over a country’s extended continental shelf.

Policy researches on national issues written by Trillanes are also published on the site, including his recent position paper on the baseline dispute.

New features include a photo gallery and links to his updated blog, Friendster account, and related new media content. The latest news articles on Trillanes, his office programs and activities are available online, with interactive functions that elicit feedback from site visitors.

Polls on current political and policy issues will also be regularly uploaded. Currently, visitors can vote on their preferred presidential candidate and legislation on population control.

Trillanes, whose successful 2007 election bid was bolstered by the Internet, had previously posted information on his platform for good governance on his Friendster account. His supporters also managed promotional blogs targeting voters and volunteers.

Maximizing technology was instrumental in their advocacy for change, and now ensuring awareness and action on his constituents’ specific concerns, he said.

Trillanes was barred from exiting his detention cell during the campaign period but drew over 11 million Filipinos voters to secure him the 11th seat in the Senate.

END