27July 2024, Seoul - Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) Veteran Benjamin Quiros (age 97) was recognized by the Republic of Korea for his valiant service during the Korean War at the UN Participation Day Ceremony 2024.

The UN Participation Day Ceremony honors annually veterans from United Nations Sending States which fought in the Korean War. The ceremony also fosters amity and friendly relations with UN Sending States in the present day. Under the theme of "Together for Our Tomorrow", the 2024 UN Forces Participation Day was attended by over 1,000 people including UN Veterans from 19 Sending States and their families. The government awarded UN veterans and others who had served to preserve their honor and to strengthen ties with allies.

One of the veterans is Mr. Quiros, who was a member of the 7,420 PEFTOK soldiers who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Republic of Korea, in the fight for freedom and democracy more than seven decades ago. Mr. Quiros received the "Cane of Longevity" from the ROK Prime Minister Han Ducksoo.

The 2024 UN Participation Day Ceremony marks Mr. Quiros' return to the Republic of Korea since his days as a Filipino soldier. Mr. Quiros still remembers his time as a member of PEFTOK's 1st Division, marching to Pyongyang in the middle of winter and feeling intense hunger and biting cold during the Korean War.

Mr. Quiros was joined by his daughter, Ms. Charito Asturias. Together, they participated in the ROK's Revisit Korea Program for UN veterans and their family members. The program included visits to Panmunjom, the UN Forces Participation Day Ceremony, a UN memorial cemetery tribute and a farewell dinner. Philippine Embassy's Consul General Romulo Victor Israel attended the gala dinner while Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario attended the UN Forces Participation Day Ceremony to represent the Philippines and convey support for Korean War veterans. Born in Ilocos but now based in Los Angeles, California, Mr. Quiros expressed his appreciation for the active involvement of the Philippine Embassy.

The Philippine Embassy in Korea continues to honor the valor and bravery of the 7,420 PEFTOK soldiers who fought during the Korean War through commemorative activities, cooperation with the ROK Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs for academic and cultural exchange projects that will benefit PEFTOK descendants, and the upgrade of facilities for the Philippines' Veterans Memorial hospital. END