Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Bro. Carlito Morante Gaspar, and the late journalist and press freedom fighter Antonio Ma. Nieva were awarded by Ateneo de Zamboanga University as the sole Jesuit educational institution in Western Mindanao marked its 17th year as a full-fledged university.
Galvez was presented the Ateneo Peace Award “for his achievements as a peace-oriented leader in the military; his leadership role during the Marawi siege as commanding general of the Western Mindanao Command, his contribution to the peace process as deputy commander for the Peace Process of the Mindanao Command, and as chairman of the Coordinating Committee on Cessation of Hostilities.”
Gaspar was given the Pro Deo et Patria Award “for his achievements as a scholar, community development worker, theologian, and friend-advocate of the indigenous peoples, faith organnizations, the Church, and the por, especially of Mindanao.”
Nieva was conferred the Mayor Cesar Climaco Award “for his critical leadership role as founder of the National Journalists of the Philippines, and his contribution as a journalist to the struggle to restore Press Freedom during a most turbulent time in Philippine history.”
The three were honored on Aug. 21 as the university also commemorated the death of Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. “for his heroism in defense of Philippine democracy.”
Galvez moved the audience as he expressed his apologies to those who were victims during the Martial Law regime. He added that such pain and suffering “will never happen again” and that the AFP remains committed to “observe human rights.”
Galvez and Gaspar personally received their awards while Nieva’s award was received by his daughter Aleta Nieva-Nishimori.
