Danilo Estrañero (MIDP ’10) received an award for distinguished service from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Now a lieutenant colonel in the army, Estrañero received the Distinguished Service Star “for eminently meritorious and valuable service in a position of major responsibility” as acting chief/general manager of the AFP Educational Benefit System Office (AFPEBSO) from January 2014 to January 2015, managing the educational benefits or scholarship programs for the orphaned children of soldiers.
This award is the highest non-combat service award given to Filipino soldiers.
Estrañero, a Rotary Peace Fellow during his time in the Master of International Development Policy program at Duke, was the first among his contemporaries and the most junior among the special staff at the AFP’s General Headquarters to be given the opportunity to serve in a position of major responsibility.
Among his accomplishments are:
- Providing for the educational benefits of 4,290 scholars. As of January 2015, 608 have earned their baccalaureate degrees.
- The highest number of partner school engagements in AFPEBSO history with a total of 102 school visits and renewed partnerships.
- Generation of more than $28 million Filipino pounds (about $649,000) through various fund raising activities.
Estrañero was also awarded a plaque of recognition by Lt. Gen. Virgilio Domingo, deputy chief of staff of the AFP and chairman of the AFPEBS Board of Trustees.
Estrañero is currently studying at the AFP Command and General Staff College in preparation for a new role as battalion commander.
