History
The Philippines Military Merit Medal is a decoration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, established in 1935, for heroic achievement or meritorious service in military operations for the Republic. Its three stars stand for the country's three main island groups, Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.
It is awarded to members of the Philippine armed forces, and has been made available to allied personnel, including Australians, who served in support of the Philippines. As a foreign award it is worn in Australia only where its acceptance and wear have been approved, after Australian honours.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The medal is about thirty five millimetres across. The obverse bears three stars, for the three main island groups of the Philippines, within a wreath. The reverse is inscribed FOR MILITARY MERIT.
The ribbon
Blue with a central red stripe.
The ribbon is blue with a single central red stripe.
Eligibility
The medal is awarded for heroic achievement or meritorious service in military operations for the Republic of the Philippines.
- It is a decoration for merit, given for what a person did rather than for a campaign;
- It is awarded to members of the Philippine armed forces;
- It has been made available to allied personnel, including Australians, who served in support of the Philippines;
- As a foreign award it is worn in Australia only where its acceptance and wear have been approved, after Australian and Commonwealth honours.
Order of wear
In the Australian Order of Wearing, foreign awards are worn after Australian honours and Commonwealth awards, in the order set for foreign awards, generally by the date of the service for which they were given. A foreign award is worn only where its acceptance and wear have been approved.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Philippines Military Merit Medal?
A decoration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for heroic achievement or meritorious service in military operations for the Republic.
What do the three stars mean?
They stand for the three main island groups of the Philippines: Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.
Who receives it?
Members of the Philippine armed forces, and allied personnel who served in support of the Philippines.
Is it a campaign medal?
No. It is a decoration for merit, given for heroic achievement or meritorious service rather than for service in a particular campaign.
What does the medal show?
Three stars within a wreath on the obverse, with the reverse inscribed FOR MILITARY MERIT.
How is it worn in Australia?
As a foreign award it is worn after Australian and Commonwealth honours, where its acceptance and wear have been approved.