Brigadier General Michael "Mikee" Romero stepped down from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Reserve Force on Aug. 20 [1].
The departure of the former 1-PACMAN Party-list lawmaker comes as the military examines the legitimacy of high-level decorations awarded to reservists. This review focuses on whether specific medals were granted according to established military protocols.
Romero held the rank of Brigadier General [2] at the time of his exit. The move follows a review of his military awards, which raised specific questions regarding his possession of the Gold Cross Medal [1], [3].
Reports on the nature of his departure differ across sources. Some reports state that Romero resigned from his position [1], [2], while others describe the move as a retirement from the force [3], [4].
The Gold Cross Medal is one of the higher honors in the Philippine military, typically awarded for acts of courage. The AFP has not provided further details on the specific discrepancies found during the review of Romero's records [3], [5].
Romero previously served as a lawmaker representing the 1-PACMAN Party-list. His transition from legislative duties to a high-ranking reserve officer role had previously drawn public attention in Manila [2], [5].
“Brigadier General Michael "Mikee" Romero stepped down from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Reserve Force”
This incident highlights an ongoing effort within the Philippine military to scrutinize the awarding of honors to reservists, particularly those with political connections. By reviewing decorations like the Gold Cross Medal, the AFP is signaling a move toward stricter adherence to merit-based awards to maintain the integrity of its rank structure.
