Fortunato Abat

Fortunato Ubongen Abat (June 10, 1925 – March 7, 2018) was a Filipino major general who served as the 20th Secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND), Ambassador to the People's Republic of China, and Commanding General of the Philippine Army.

Early life Fortunato Abat was born on 10 June 1925 in San Juan, La Union to Epifanio Abat and Esperanza Ubongen. He studied in Singalong Elementary School in the city of Manila from 1932 to 1939, then in Araullo High School from 1939 to 1941. His secondary education was abruptly halted by the Japanese invasion during World War II. As a young teenager, he entered the Philippine Army which was incorporated into the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) as an enlisted man on April 15, 1944, before the Allied Liberation of the Philippines. He continued his secondary education in La Union High School after the war and graduated in 1947.

Military

Abat entered the Philippine Military Academy right after finishing his high school diploma, and graduated in the Class of '51, and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the Philippine Army. Along with 2nd Lieutenant Fidel V. Ramos, Abat joined the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK), where he served with distinction under the United Nations flag.

Abat finally was appointed as the President & CEO of the John Hay Poro Point Development Corp. by Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Later life Despite retirement, Abat continued to play a role in Philippine politics, without escaping controversy. Abat, who formed the National Coalition for Solidarity (NCS) and the Movement for National Salvation (MVS) later called President Arroyo to resign after she was implicated in a series of scandals.

In December 2005, Abat was arrested after he called on the formation of a revolutionary government, of which he is the new President of the Philippines, and called on the resignation of President Arroyo over allegations of corruption.

On August 15, 2006, Abat called for the abolition of the Philippine Government and the Philippine Constitution, and the creation of a "Transition Government" of "Discipline and Authoritative Governance" where "All the three (3) branches of government are collectively responsible and accountable to the President that has oversight power over the discharge of their functions and responsibilities. Focus of governance. Governance is focused on the civil service and the military and police service."

Abat served as the Chairman of the Military Service Board under Arroyo's successor, President Benigno Aquino III.

Death

Abat died at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City on 7 March 2018, aged 92. He was interred in the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Awards and distinctions

Kartika Eksa Paksi Medal & Sword of Indonesia (Degree of Cmdr)

US Congressional Gold Medal for Filipino Veterans of World War II (posthumous; 2022)