Benito T. de Leon
Encyclopedia
Benito Antonio Templo de León (born March 21, 1960) is a military
officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) while a Roman Catholic was conferred the rare Muslim
-Maranao
honorary title of Sultan
a Romapunut for his peace efforts. De León, presently holds the Army
rank of a Colonel
and is the Commander of the 104th Infantry (Sultan
) Brigade, 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division
, Philippine Army
assigned in the Province of Lanao del Norte
of Mindanao
, the southern-island of the Philippines
. He assumed command of the brigade
after armed lawless groups pillaged the coastal towns of Kauswagan and Kolambugan on August 18, 2008. His unit is currently tasked to hunt down the outlaws, and assist in bringing stability to the region experiencing a lingering animosity between the Christian and Muslim folks.
. His father, Nicolas de Leon (1936–2010) from Alcala, Cagayan
, was a Certified Public Accountant
, who later taught in colleges and eventually retired as a banker. His mother, Fe Templo-de Leon (1929–1981), from Santo Niño, Cagayan
, was a public school teacher. His maternal uncles, who were graduates of the Philippine Military Academy
, served in the military until their retirement as general or flag officers: Army Brigadier General
Cesar Templo, Class of 1954; Navy Commodore George Templo, Class of 1957; and, Brigadier General Emiliano Templo, Class of 1962.
De Leon is the eldest in a Roman Catholic family of seven which includes Police Superintendent Valeriano de Leon, also a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1989, serving with the Philippine National Police
.
He is married to the former Annabelle Quinonez from Surigao del Sur
with whom he has four children: Antoinette, Dyanne Lysette, Michael Henry, and Patrick Kevin. His first grandson is Michael Anthony.
as cadet and graduated with the Dimalupig Class of 1981. He took his Basic Infantry
Course at the United States Army Infantry School
at Fort Benning
in 1987. In 2001, he topped the Philippine Army Command and General Staff Course. And in 2004, he finished the Defence and Strategic Studies Course at the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies of the Australian Defence College
.
De Leon also holds a Master in Management degree from the Asian Institute of Management
, a Master of Business Administration
from the National College of Business and Arts
, and Master of Arts (postgraduate)
in Strategic Studies
from Deakin University
in Australia
. He also finished the Freelance Writer Program through distance learning with the Penn Foster Career School
of the United States of America.
particularly in the Lanao Provinces addressing the separatist movement—the Moro National Liberation Front
.
His unit was eventually redeployed to Panay Island
in the Visayas
to deal with the insurgents—the New People's Army
.
After a study tour in he United States, he was assigned to teach at the Training and Doctrine Command of the Philippine Army. Much later, he took on junior staff
assignments in the Army General Staff and then at the AFP General Headquarters primarily in the fields of Comptroller
ship.
hostilities in 2000 and was awarded the Gold Cross Medal for gallantry in action. At that time, he was conferred the Maranao
honorary title of Sultan
a Romapunut sa Lumbayanague in Lanao del Sur
by the Muslims in the area for his peace efforts.
After graduating and topping his class in the Command and General Staff Course, he was made to serve as Head of the Strategy
, Warfare and Conflict
Studies Department of the Army Command and Staff College; later, he joined the faculty of the AFP Command and General Staff College
. His senior staff assignments include as the Executive Assistants to the AFP
Chief of Staff
and afterward to The Deputy Chief of Staff; as the Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Finance at the Department of National Defense; as President of a General Court Martial; and, as the first Chief of Staff and Spokesperson of 10th Infantry (Agila) Division
.
Just prior to his present duty, he served as Commander of Joint Task Force
General Santos City (GENSAN)
confronting terrorist threats in the area.
He is now the designated Commander of 104th Infantry (Sultan) Brigade based in Iligan City
and covering Lanao del Norte
. His unit is presently tasked to pursue the lawless group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
which pillaged the coastal towns of Kolambugan and Kauswagan; bring stability in to the long troubled region of the Philippines caused by a Muslim
separatist movement. As De Leon pursues the outlaws, he has continuously sought support of the different sectors of society to bring in developmental projects,
and heavily engaged in interfaith
consultations and dialogues to create harmony between Christians and Muslims.
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
Armed Forces of the Philippines
The Armed Forces of the Philippines is composed of the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force...
(AFP) while a Roman Catholic was conferred the rare Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
-Maranao
Maranao
Maranao is the term used for the people of Lanao, a predominantly Muslim region in the Philippines island of Mindanao. They are famous for their artwork, sophisticated weaving, wood and metal craft, and their epic literature...
honorary title of Sultan
Sultan
Sultan is a title with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic language abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", and "dictatorship", derived from the masdar سلطة , meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be used as the title of certain rulers who...
a Romapunut for his peace efforts. De León, presently holds the Army
Army
An army An army An army (from Latin arma "arms, weapons" via Old French armée, "armed" (feminine), in the broadest sense, is the land-based military of a nation or state. It may also include other branches of the military such as the air force via means of aviation corps...
rank of a Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
and is the Commander of the 104th Infantry (Sultan
Sultan
Sultan is a title with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic language abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", and "dictatorship", derived from the masdar سلطة , meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be used as the title of certain rulers who...
) Brigade, 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division
1st Infantry (TABAK) Division
The 1st Infantry Division, Philippine Army, known officially as the Tabak Division, is the Philippine Army's primary Infantry unit, and specializes in anti-guerrilla warfare...
, Philippine Army
Philippine Army
The Philippine Army is the ground arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Its official name in Tagalog is Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas. On July 23, 2010, President Benigno Aquino III appointed Maj. Gen...
assigned in the Province of Lanao del Norte
Lanao del Norte
Lanao del Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital is Tubod. The province borders Lanao del Sur to the southeast, Zamboanga del Sur to the west, Illana Bay to the southwest, Iligan Bay to the north, Iligan City to the northeast, and is separated...
of Mindanao
Mindanao
Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
, the southern-island of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. He assumed command of the brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
after armed lawless groups pillaged the coastal towns of Kauswagan and Kolambugan on August 18, 2008. His unit is currently tasked to hunt down the outlaws, and assist in bringing stability to the region experiencing a lingering animosity between the Christian and Muslim folks.
Background
Benito de Leon was born on March 21, 1960 in Tuguegarao, CagayanCagayan
Cagayan , the "Land of Smiling Beauty", is a province of the Philippines in the Cagayan Valley region in Luzon. Its capital is Tuguegarao City and is located at the northeastern corner of the island of Luzon. Cagayan also includes the Babuyan Islands to the north. The province borders Ilocos Norte...
. His father, Nicolas de Leon (1936–2010) from Alcala, Cagayan
Alcala, Cagayan
Alcala is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 35,694 people in 7,025 households....
, was a Certified Public Accountant
Certified Public Accountant
Certified Public Accountant is the statutory title of qualified accountants in the United States who have passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and have met additional state education and experience requirements for certification as a CPA...
, who later taught in colleges and eventually retired as a banker. His mother, Fe Templo-de Leon (1929–1981), from Santo Niño, Cagayan
Santo Niño, Cagayan
Santo Niño is a 4th class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. It is formerly known as Faire. According to the latest census, it has a population of 25,688 people in 4,387 households.-Barangays:...
, was a public school teacher. His maternal uncles, who were graduates of the Philippine Military Academy
Philippine Military Academy
The Philippine Military Academy or PMA, is the Philippine military school for the Armed Forces of the Philippines . PMA was established on December 21, 1936 by the virtue of Commonwealth Act No. 1 . PMA is located in Baguio, Benguet province...
, served in the military until their retirement as general or flag officers: Army Brigadier General
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
Cesar Templo, Class of 1954; Navy Commodore George Templo, Class of 1957; and, Brigadier General Emiliano Templo, Class of 1962.
De Leon is the eldest in a Roman Catholic family of seven which includes Police Superintendent Valeriano de Leon, also a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1989, serving with the Philippine National Police
Philippine National Police
The Philippine National Police is the national police force of the Republic of the Philippines. It is both a national and a local police force in that it does provides all law enforcement services throughout the Philippines...
.
He is married to the former Annabelle Quinonez from Surigao del Sur
Surigao del Sur
' is a province of the Philippines located in the CARAGA region in Mindanao. Its capital is Tandag City and borders Surigao del Norte to the north, Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur to the west, and Davao Oriental to the south...
with whom he has four children: Antoinette, Dyanne Lysette, Michael Henry, and Patrick Kevin. His first grandson is Michael Anthony.
Education
He took his early elementary education at Saint Paul College of Tuguegarao and finished at Tuguegarao North Central School. He had his secondary education at Saint Louis Science High School of Tuguegarao and graduated in 1977. Thereafter, he entered the Philippine Military AcademyPhilippine Military Academy
The Philippine Military Academy or PMA, is the Philippine military school for the Armed Forces of the Philippines . PMA was established on December 21, 1936 by the virtue of Commonwealth Act No. 1 . PMA is located in Baguio, Benguet province...
as cadet and graduated with the Dimalupig Class of 1981. He took his Basic Infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
Course at the United States Army Infantry School
United States Army Infantry School
The United States Army Infantry School is located in Fort Benning, Georgia. It is made up of the following components:*192d Infantry Brigade...
at Fort Benning
Fort Benning
Fort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama...
in 1987. In 2001, he topped the Philippine Army Command and General Staff Course. And in 2004, he finished the Defence and Strategic Studies Course at the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies of the Australian Defence College
Australian Defence College
The Australian Defence College comprises three tri-service educational organisations operated by the Australian Defence Force in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory:* the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies ,...
.
De Leon also holds a Master in Management degree from the Asian Institute of Management
Asian Institute of Management
The Asian Institute of Management, or simply AIM, is a graduate school of business and a center of business and management research. It is one of the few business schools in Asia to be internationally accredited with the AACSB. It was established in partnership with Harvard Business School and uses...
, a Master of Business Administration
Master of Business Administration
The Master of Business Administration is a :master's degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. The MBA designation originated in the United States, emerging from the late 19th century as the country industrialized and companies sought out...
from the National College of Business and Arts
National College of Business and Arts
The National College of Business and Arts is a college in Sampaloc, Manila. Its main campus is in Cubao.- History :The National College of Business and Arts was established in 1968, at the corner of R...
, and Master of Arts (postgraduate)
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in Strategic Studies
Strategic studies
Strategic studies is an interdisciplinary academic field devoted to topics concerning the relationship between politics, geography and natural resources, economics, and military power, such as the role of intelligence, diplomacy and threats in the preparation and use of force...
from Deakin University
Deakin University
Deakin University is an Australian public university with nearly 40,000 higher education students in 2010. It receives more than A$600 million in operating revenue annually, and controls more than A$1.3 billion in assets. It received more than A$35 million in research income in 2009 and had 835...
in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. He also finished the Freelance Writer Program through distance learning with the Penn Foster Career School
Penn Foster Career School
Penn Foster Career School is a U.S. for-profit distance education vocational school. The school was founded in 1890, and was known as International Correspondence Schools, or ICS...
of the United States of America.
Junior years
De Leon's younger years in the military service was with the 12th Infantry Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division posted as a company grade officer in MindanaoMindanao
Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
particularly in the Lanao Provinces addressing the separatist movement—the Moro National Liberation Front
Moro National Liberation Front
The Moro National Liberation Front is a political organization that was founded by Nur Misuari in 1969. The MNLF struggles against the Philippine Government to achieve independence of the Bangsamoro Land...
.
His unit was eventually redeployed to Panay Island
Panay Island
Panay is an island in the Philippines located in the western part of the Visayas. Politically, it is divided into five provinces: Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Iloilo, all in the Western Visayas Region. It is located southeast of the island of Mindoro and northwest of Negros, separated by the...
in the Visayas
Visayas
The Visayas or Visayan Islands and locally known as Kabisay-an gid, is one of the three principal geographical divisions of the Philippines, along with Mindanao and Luzon. It consists of several islands, primarily surrounding the Visayan Sea, although the Visayas are considered the northeast...
to deal with the insurgents—the New People's Army
New People's Army
The New People's Army is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines. It was formed on March 29, 1969. The Maoist NPA conducts its armed guerrilla struggle based on the strategical line of 'protracted people's war'.The NPA exacts so called "revolutionary taxes" from business owners...
.
After a study tour in he United States, he was assigned to teach at the Training and Doctrine Command of the Philippine Army. Much later, he took on junior staff
General Staff
A military staff, often referred to as General Staff, Army Staff, Navy Staff or Air Staff within the individual services, is a group of officers and enlisted personnel that provides a bi-directional flow of information between a commanding officer and subordinate military units...
assignments in the Army General Staff and then at the AFP General Headquarters primarily in the fields of Comptroller
Comptroller
A comptroller is a management level position responsible for supervising the quality of accounting and financial reporting of an organization.In British government, the Comptroller General or Comptroller and Auditor General is in most countries the external auditor of the budget execution of the...
ship.
Senior years
Later, he led the 58th Infantry (Dimalulupig) Battalion under the 4th Infantry Division in Mindanao at the height of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)Moro Islamic Liberation Front
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front is an Islamist group located in the southern Philippines. It is one of two Islamic militant groups, the other being the Abu Sayyaf, that are fighting against Government of the Philippines...
hostilities in 2000 and was awarded the Gold Cross Medal for gallantry in action. At that time, he was conferred the Maranao
Maranao
Maranao is the term used for the people of Lanao, a predominantly Muslim region in the Philippines island of Mindanao. They are famous for their artwork, sophisticated weaving, wood and metal craft, and their epic literature...
honorary title of Sultan
Sultan
Sultan is a title with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic language abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", and "dictatorship", derived from the masdar سلطة , meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be used as the title of certain rulers who...
a Romapunut sa Lumbayanague in Lanao del Sur
Lanao del Sur
Lanao del Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao . Its capital is Marawi City and borders Lanao del Norte to the north, Bukidnon to the east, and Maguindanao and Cotabato to the south. To the southwest lies Illana Bay, an arm of the Moro Gulf...
by the Muslims in the area for his peace efforts.
After graduating and topping his class in the Command and General Staff Course, he was made to serve as Head of the Strategy
Strategy
Strategy, a word of military origin, refers to a plan of action designed to achieve a particular goal. In military usage strategy is distinct from tactics, which are concerned with the conduct of an engagement, while strategy is concerned with how different engagements are linked...
, Warfare and Conflict
War
War is a state of organized, armed, and often prolonged conflict carried on between states, nations, or other parties typified by extreme aggression, social disruption, and usually high mortality. War should be understood as an actual, intentional and widespread armed conflict between political...
Studies Department of the Army Command and Staff College; later, he joined the faculty of the AFP Command and General Staff College
Armed Forces of the Philippines Command and General Staff College
The AFP Command and General Staff College, known officially as the AFPCGSC or GSC, is one the training units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines...
. His senior staff assignments include as the Executive Assistants to the AFP
Armed Forces of the Philippines
The Armed Forces of the Philippines is composed of the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force...
Chief of Staff
Chief of Staff
The title, chief of staff, identifies the leader of a complex organization, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a Principal Staff Officer , who is the coordinator of the supporting staff or a primary aide to an important individual, such as a president.In general, a chief of...
and afterward to The Deputy Chief of Staff; as the Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Finance at the Department of National Defense; as President of a General Court Martial; and, as the first Chief of Staff and Spokesperson of 10th Infantry (Agila) Division
10th Infantry (AGILA) Division
The 10th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, known officially as the Agila Division, is one of the Philippine Army's Infantry units in Mindanao, and specializes in anti-guerrilla warfare....
.
Just prior to his present duty, he served as Commander of Joint Task Force
Task force
A task force is a unit or formation established to work on a single defined task or activity. Originally introduced by the United States Navy, the term has now caught on for general usage and is a standard part of NATO terminology...
General Santos City (GENSAN)
General Santos City
The City of General Santos is the southernmost port city of the Philippines. Being a highly urbanized first class city, GenSan is one of the most populous urban centers in the country with a population of 679,588 as per census data of 2010...
confronting terrorist threats in the area.
He is now the designated Commander of 104th Infantry (Sultan) Brigade based in Iligan City
Iligan City
The City of Iligan is a highly urbanized industrial city north of the province of Lanao del Norte, Philippines, and the province's former capital. It is approximately 795 kilometers southeast of Manila...
and covering Lanao del Norte
Lanao del Norte
Lanao del Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital is Tubod. The province borders Lanao del Sur to the southeast, Zamboanga del Sur to the west, Illana Bay to the southwest, Iligan Bay to the north, Iligan City to the northeast, and is separated...
. His unit is presently tasked to pursue the lawless group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
Moro Islamic Liberation Front
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front is an Islamist group located in the southern Philippines. It is one of two Islamic militant groups, the other being the Abu Sayyaf, that are fighting against Government of the Philippines...
which pillaged the coastal towns of Kolambugan and Kauswagan; bring stability in to the long troubled region of the Philippines caused by a Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
separatist movement. As De Leon pursues the outlaws, he has continuously sought support of the different sectors of society to bring in developmental projects,
and heavily engaged in interfaith
Interfaith
The term interfaith dialogue refers to cooperative, constructive and positive interaction between people of different religious traditions and/or spiritual or humanistic beliefs, at both the individual and institutional levels...
consultations and dialogues to create harmony between Christians and Muslims.
Operational instructions
De Leon, upon assuming command of the 104th Infantry Brigade, issued the following operational instructions he considered significant to mission accomplishment:- Focus and put to bear all energies and resources to neutralize the lawless group of the MILF that have threatened the peace in Lanao del Norte;
- Enhance linkages with counterparts in all sectors to generate support in best attaining the mission;
- Support the thrusts of local government executives which are intended to benefit the people; and,
- In all undertakings uphold and protect the rights of the citizenry as enshrined in the Constitution by following the AFP Rules of EngagementRules of engagementRules of Engagement refers to those responses that are permitted in the employment of military personnel during operations or in the course of their duties. These rules of engagement are determined by the legal framework within which these duties are being carried out...
, Human RightsHuman rightsHuman rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
, and the International Humanitarian LawInternational humanitarian lawInternational humanitarian law , often referred to as the laws of war, the laws and customs of war or the law of armed conflict, is the legal corpus that comprises "the Geneva Conventions and the Hague Conventions, as well as subsequent treaties, case law, and customary international law." It...
.
On God
- " ... that ultimately allowed this opportunity ... : for without His Will, how could this be otherwise."
- "With Divine Blessings, I know we will all succeed in our noble endeavor."
On media
- "Media will always play a crucial role in attaining peace not only in Mindanao but in other conflict areas."
- "Media’s presentations will always result into two sides: those who will be happy and those who will be irritated by it."
- The final test of its work: “Will it be for the better good to the society ...which we all have a stake in its future.”
On peace
- "We have to put all our acts together if only to secure peace."
- "Not only peace in our time for our sake, but for the future generations.”
On role of the military
- ”As professional members of the AFP, we are duty bound to uphold and support the position as declared by CSAFP and then, standby and defend this assertion.”
- ”Maintain our position at the AFP to remain apolitical and refuse to do anything that is in direct contrast to the Constitution that we vowed to serve, protect and defend."
- ”To accomplish the mission of preserving the integrity of the state and protecting the citizens”
- "Your military will always give high priority in ensuring the protection of the Filipino citizens whether they be Christians, Muslims, Lumads, or otherwise."