COMDR, EMSBn, 51EBDE, PA
LTC MEDARDO F CLARITO CE (GSC) PA


LTC MEDARDO F CLARITO (CORPS OF ENGINEERS) PHILIPPINE ARMY, was born in Tobias Fornier (Dao), Antique, where he took up and finished his elementary and secondary education. After graduation, he studied Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Western Institute of Technology, Iloilo City. He took up and passed the Mechanical Licensure Board Examination in 1983. He applied for commission and subsequently was Called to Active Duty on 01 October 1987 as Second Lieutenant in the Regular Force, AFP with Philippine Army as his branch of service.

After completion of the Officer Preparatory Course (OPC-23), he was assigned with 552nd Engineering Construction Battalion, 53rd Engineer Brigade where he served as Platoon Leader and Company Ex-O. In the later part of 1990, he was a member of a contingent sent to Northern Samar to undertake the Construction of Pangpang-Palapag-Gamay-Lapinig Circumferential Road.

In 1991, after taking up MCLC from SSS, TCPA, he was reassigned at the brigade headquarters, 53rd Engineer Brigade where he was designated as Deputy G4, concurrent as Brigade Maintenance Officer, Ex-O HQS and HQS Service Unit, Motor Pool Officer and Procurement Officer. In 1995, he was designated as Commanding Officer of HQS and HQS Service Unit (HHSU) until he took up his Masters in Public Administration in the University of San Agustin, Iloilo City under the 22k Scholarship Grant. Upon completion of his post studies, he was again designated as Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics, G4 of the brigade until the last quarter of 1999 when he took up his Engineer Officer Advance Course in CSS, TRADOC.

After his graduation, he was reassigned to 54th Engineer Brigade, PA at Camp Tito Abat, Manaoag, Pangasinan where he was designated as Ex-O of 548 ECB, 54th EBDE, PA stationed at Bgy Visaya, Vintar, Ilocos Norte. However, after almost six months in the area, on July 2000, the 54th EBDE,PA moved to Central Mindanao to undertake the repair and rehabilitation of various infrastructures and facilities damaged during the conflict between the government forces and the MILF popularly known as the “ Camp Abubakar War”.

In 2001, he was designated as Battalion Commander of Engineer Support Battalion, 54EBde, PA based at Bgy Bayanga Norte, Matanog, Maguindanao from 29 January 2001 to 15 January 2004. As part of the government confidence building measures in the area, his unit was responsible in the repair and rehabilitation of the 28.5 kilometers Secretary Narciso Ramos Highway, repair and concreting portion of Langkong – Sarmiento – Abubakar Road, repair of various mosques, school buildings, and construction of other facilities like Daycare Centers and solar dryers in the municipalities of Matanog and Parang, Maguindanao and Kapatagan and Balabagan of Lanao del Sur.


As part of engineer combat support, his unit provided survivability and mobility support to AFP units in the area of operation like the 64IB, 75IB, the 603rd IBDE of 6ID stationed at Camp Abubakar Complex to include the 8MBLT and 3MBde, (M) PN stationed in Langkong and Bayanga Norte of Matanog in terms of clearing and leveling of brigade and battalion headquarters, construction of road nets, improvement of parapets and construction of running trenches. The most significant of which was during the conduct of military operation on 11 March 2003 at Buliok Complex wherein his battalion provided combat support to Armor Assets of LABde,PA providing close fire support to attacking government forces. The Army Engineers provided mobility support by closing the gaps, both the natural creeks and manmade canals which protect the MILF Camp along the way for the armor assets to pass and penetrate into the area.

In 2004, after serving for almost three years as Battalion Commander, he was reassigned to the brigade headquarters occupying various positions, Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics, G4, Training Officer and later was designated as Chief, Mgmt and Fiscal Office from 2004 to 2007. He was also designated as Acting Chief of Staff of the brigade for nine months. In concurrent capacity, LTC CLARITO was also designated as Chairman, Project Management Team which monitored and inspect on-going projects to ensure that projects were being implemented in accordance with the approved plans and specifications, Chairman, Awards and Decorations Committee, Schooling Board and other special duties.

On July 2007, he took up his CGSC wherein after graduation from CGSC Cl-50 last April 2008, he was reassigned to 51st EBDE,PA and was designated as Brigade Logistics Officer from 16 May 2008 to 16 May 2009.

Lt Col Clarito is recipient of various military awards; One (1) Distinguished Service Star, one (1) Gawad sa Kaunlaran, one (1) MMM w/ BSD, thirty (30) MMM, eight (8) MCM, , PRP Unit Citation Badge, Mindanao, Luzon and Visayas Campaign Medal, Combat Commanders (K) Badge (Bn & Coy Cmdr), Military Civic Action Medal, People Power II Ribbon, thirty (35) Letters of Commendation, ten (10) civilian Plaque of Recognition.

On 16 May 2009 he was designated as Acting Commanding Officer of the 564ECB, 51st EBDE,PA stationed at Camp Eldridge, los Banos, Laguna. Lt Col Clarito is happily married to Arselina Fernandez of Egana, Sibalom, Antique and blessed with five children, Abe Jun, Aiai, Jay R, Cris Arvin and Albie.