Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner, Jr., Commanding General of the Philippine Army, personally pins the Bronze Cross medal (Medalla Militar del Bronce) on Consul General Elmer G. Cato during ceremonies at the Philippine Center in New York on Monday, 4 April 2022.
Cato, who holds the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Army reserves, was cited for his actions in looking after overseas Filipino workers in Libya during the civil war and the coronavirus pandemic when he was Chargé d’Affaires and Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Philippines in Tripoli from 2019 to 2021.
The Bronze Cross is a single grade military decoration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines which is awarded for “heroism involving risk of life.” It is awarded for voluntary action in the face of great danger above and beyond the call of duty; or other deeds evidenced by extraordinary bravery not involving direct combat with the enemy.
