Pedro Q. Molina

MAJ GEN PEDRO Q MOLINA AFP was born in Baler, Quezon on 30 March 1916. He finished his secondary education at the Ateneo de Manila in 1934 and was appointed as cadet at the Philippine Constabulary Academy (now Philippine Military Academy) during that same year. He was discharged in 1936 and enlisted with the Philippine Army where he served under the 1st Signal Company. On 15 March 1937, he was commissioned 3rd Lieutenant and was assigned as Infantry Training Officer, Reserve Officers Training School before he joined as a Student Officer of the Philippine Army Air Corps (PAAC) Flying School at Zablan Field and graduated in 1938. In 1939, he was sent to U.S. Air Force Schools namely Randolph and Kelly Field, U.S.A. for primary, basic and advance Pilot Training. During his stay in the U.S., he likewise trained for Observation Aviation Course at Fort Louis, Washington, D.C. and qualified as observation pilot under the 91st Observation Squadron of the U.S. Army Air Corps in Washington.

At the advent of WW II in the country, he served as Instructor Pilot, Stage Commander and Director of Academic Training of the PAAC. After his promotion to Captain, he was designated as Commanding Officer of the 10th Bombardment Squadron, PAAC at Maniquis Field, Nueva Ecija. During the war, he was Commander of one PAAC Battalion attached to the 71st Infantry Division and after the fall of Bataan, he became POW and was incarcerated at Capas, Tarlac.

After the Philippine Liberation in 1945, he was sent to Goodfellow Field, Texas U.S.A. for pilot refresher courses. Then in his return, he became Commander of the post-war and newly activated 1st Air Service Group, PAAC at Nielson Field (in Paseo de Roxas, Makati). He also became Operations and Training Officer of the 205th Composite Group at Lipa Army Air Base (now Fernando Air Base), and the facility Base Commander in 1948. General Molina took up his Field Officers Course at Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base and the Air Ground Operation Course at Southern Pines, North Carolina U.S.A. in 1952.

Major General Molina held important positions such as Base Commander of Fernando Air Base, Lipa City from 03 June to 31 August 1948; Chief of Air Staff and Vice Commander, PAF 01 July 1950 to 03 June 1952; Wing Commander 100th TW form 08 September 1952 to 1953; also became Vice Commander, PAF; Commanding General, Philippine Air Force from 05 July 1957 to 17 July 1962; AFP Vice Chief-of-Staff on 01 September 1962; and SEATO Commander, Eastern Region from 1962 to 1964.

He is a recipient of numerous awards and decorations such as the Distinguished Conduct Star, Distinguished Service Stars, Distinguished Service Cross, Philippine Legion of Honor (Degree of Commander), Legion of Merit, Wounded Soldier’s Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Philippine Defense Medal, Philippine Independence Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, American Defense Medal, and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, among others.

Major General Pedro Q Molina is married to the former Evangeline F. Mendaña with whom he has four children namely Ma. Paz, Ma. Candelaria, Pedro Juan and Maria Isabel.

https://www.paf.mil.ph/cg-paf/mgen-pedro-q-molina-o-1563-afp