BRP Ladislao Diwa

 

The Philippine Navy commissioned 2 patrol craft donated by the United States. The ships were renamed after 2 of 5 co-founders of the Katipunan, Valentin Diaz & Ladislao Diwa who served as 1 of 3 in the top triumverate leadership of the Katipunan.

The fairly grand event staged by the Philippine Navy was attended by descendants of Diaz & Diwa.

Five of Diwa's descendants served in the military. Two grandsons served in the Philippine Air Force. Retired Gen. Chester Ebuen (PMA '70) once piloted presidential planes under Ferdinand Marcos Sr., Corazon Aquino, & Fidel V. Ramos. His younger brother, Col. Ladislao Diwa Ebuen (PMA 71) also served in the PAF. The Ebuen brothers are sons of the late Gen. Benito Ebuen who perished in a plane crash with President Ramon Magsaysay.

Another grandson of Diwa was Horatio Diwa who served in the US Navy whose two sons also served in the US military. My cousin, Manuel (a retired Colonel in the Special Forces of the US Army), attended the ceremony where PH Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro & US Ambassador MaryKay Clarkson gave opportune speeches in these troubling times.

I couldn't help but reflect that the bond between the Philippines and the United States transcends historical & political ties; it is organic in the blood ties between & amongst Filipinos & Filipino Americans.

We can only hope that the 2 ships, named after Filipino revolutionaries for nationhood, will never be used to settle a territorial dispute.

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