PH veteran of Korean war gets renovated home as gift
Sgt. Florendo Benedicto, 93, remembers that the last battle he took part in was in Yultong, North Korea, at the height of the Korean War in the 1950s. But his story of courage and sacrifice endures.
On Wednesday, he was presented with his old home in Calamba, Laguna, now fully renovated through the support of a group affiliated with the South Korean government—a gift not just of shelter, but a place to build new memories with his family.
“It makes my heart truly flutter knowing that after all these years, I once again had the chance to be remembered,” Benedicto told the Inquirer.
He said he was selected as a beneficiary for the house renovation, which included painting, the addition of a comfort room to his bedroom, and a working flood control project where the house stands.
He especially noted that the comfort room made daily life more convenient, now that he has difficulty standing for long periods.
Tour of duty
Benedicto served with the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (Peftok) for the entire duration of the Korean War, from its outbreak in June 1950 to its armistice in July 1953.
He participated in the crucial Battle of Yultong on April 23, 1951, where the 10th Battalion Combat Team faced overwhelming Chinese forces and earned the nickname “The Fighting Filipinos.”
According to the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, 112 Filipinos in Korea were killed in action, 229 were wounded, 16 went missing and 41 were taken prisoner.
The awarding ceremony was led by South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-hwa and commander of the Republic of Korea Army Personnel Command Maj. Gen. Shin Eun-bong.
Maj. Gen. Ramon Zagala, commander of the 2nd Infantry “Jungle Fighter” Division, represented the Philippine Army. He also congratulated Benedicto and his family.
“Every time we honor a veteran, we strengthen the very foundation of our profession,” Zagala said. “The belief that service to country transcends time, place, and generation.”
He also thanked the South Korean government for supporting Peftok veterans decades after the war.
Vivid memories
For Benedicto, the home represents more than just a place to live. “My daughter and her husband built it with their hard work, and they made sure I have a place here with them,” he said.
“For me, this house is not just a house, it is a safe place for everyone where we create happy memories together,” he said in Filipino.
Reflecting on life after the war, Benedicto recalled decades of struggle and long years without recognition.
“After the war, there were a lot of struggles in life. I didn’t receive any benefits—not until my 90s. Then I suddenly remembered Peftok and it’s a blessing that I have experienced the benefits as a product of the Battle of Yultong.”
Though he no longer keeps in touch with surviving veterans or their families, their memories remain vivid in his mind.
The renovation, carried out by the Korean Army and Walk Together International, ensured the home is safe and accessible for his advanced age. The project was first assessed during a house visit on Feb. 19, 2025.
“The Korean people will always have my heart,” Benedicto said. “I hope that the kindness, legacy, and compassion will continue to live on even when we veterans are no longer here, and that we will always be remembered.”
The awarding of the home highlights the Philippines’ longstanding role in the Korean War, where about 7,420 Filipino soldiers served following the call of then President Elpidio Quirino.
