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Members of the Philippine contingent departed from Colonel Jesus Villamor Air Base, Pasay City on April 1, 2025, to provide humanitarian assistance to earthquake-affected communities in Myanmar. Philippine Air Force/File

Members of the  Philippine contingent departed from Colonel Jesus Villamor Air Base, Pasay City on April 1, 2025, to provide humanitarian assistance to earthquake-affected communities in Myanmar. Prior to the departure, Secretary of the Department of Health Teodoro Herbosa, alongside Undersecretary Ariel F. Nepomuceno, Civil Defense Administrator (OCD), and Lieutenant General Arthur M. Cordura PAF, Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force, led the send-off ceremony.  Courtesy of teh Philippine Air Force

Article (news)

PH HUMANITARIAN MISSION- MYANMAR

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178704280278520250401-ph-humanitarian-mission-myanmar-PAF.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Members of the Philippine contingent departed from Colonel Jesus Villamor Air Base, Pasay City on April 1, 2025, to provide humanitarian assistance to earthquake-affected communities in Myanmar. Philippine Air Force/File MANILA — The Philippine Air Force is reviewing its policies on military awards, badges and insignias for reservists after decorations worn by reservist Brig. Gen. Michael “Mikee” Romero raised questions on how he earned them.</div>In a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Tuesday, PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Christina Basco said military awards and badges must be supported by General Orders or official records specifying the nature and basis for an individual to wear them.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/6/ph-air-force-showcases-upgraded-capabilities-in-exercise-pitch-black-2026-2355">PH Air Force showcases upgraded capabilities in Exercise Pitch Black 2026</a></div>She said the PAF Reserve Command is conducting an &quot;extensive&quot; review of its policies.&quot;Covered na po nito lahat ng aspects ng policy, as well as the awards that were given to our reservist personnel,&quot; she said.(That covers all aspects of the policy as well as the awards given to reservist personnel)Romero, who was commissioned in July 2021, is an active reservist and commander of the PAF Tactical Operations Wing Reserve Northern Luzon.He is also a businessman and served as 1-Pacman Party-list representative from 2016 to 2025.A recent photo of Romero in a PAF uniform beside Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Antonio Nafarrete went viral online, with active and former uniformed personnel questioning the number of the reservists&#x27; medals and badges. ROMERO: ‘AWARDS WERE BASED ON OFFICIAL MERIT’ In a statement, Romero defended his record of service to the AFP, saying his work as a former legislator and reserve force general has focused on strengthening the military and supporting its personnel.Romero cited his role in the passage of AFP salary standardization measures and the acquisition of three C-130J aircraft for the PAF while he was a deputy speaker.He also said he had participated in more than 60 voluntary civil-military operations and humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) activities.He stressed that his rank, appointments and awards in the Reserve Force were conferred “unsolicited” by the respective service branches and commands “based on official merit.”He added that all relevant General Orders and official documentations are part of the AFP’s permanent records and maintained that he had never claimed a distinction unsupported by official records. AFP-WIDE REVIEWAFP Public Affairs Office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the military is also conducting an AFP-wide review of all reserve forces. “Medyo malaki po ang gagawing review on the policy side para at least, ‘yung mga concern ng ating civilian comments being made on social media [can be addressed].”(It will be a broad review on the policy side, but at least the concerns being made on social media can be addressed.)Trinidad reminded reservists that they cannot wear military uniforms, awards, decorations or patches unless authorized to.“Lahat ng mga bagay na ito ay may proseso—titingnan po if covered by orders,” he added.(All of these have a procedure — we will see if these are covered by orders.)Trinidad said violations would be subject to investigation and due process, with penalties depending on the findings.

The Philippine Air Force is reviewing its policies on military awards, badges and insignias for reservists amid concerns raised over the decorations worn by reservist Brigadier General Michael Odylon “Mikee” Romero.

The Philippine Air Force is reviewing its policies on military awards, badges and insignias for reservists amid concerns raised over the decorations worn by reservist Brigadier General Michael Odylon “Mikee” Romero.

PH Air Force reviews reserve force policies on awards, badges amid 'stolen valor' issue

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PH Air Force reviews reserve force policies on awards, badges amid 'stolen valor' issue

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 18, 2026 05:17 PM PHT

Read More:

Philippine Air Force

Reserve Force

Mikee Romero

Stolen Valor

AFP

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