Fortunato Abat
| Fortunato Abat | |
|---|---|
| Born |
June 10, 1925 San Juan, La Union, Philippine Islands |
| Allegiance |
 Republic of the Philippines
|
| Service/branch |
Philippine Commonwealth Army (1944-1946) Philippine Army (1946-1981) Armed Forces of the Philippines (1944-1981) |
| Years of service | 1944-1981 |
| Rank |
 Major General
|
| Commands held | 3rd Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars |
World War II *Philippines Campaign (1944-1945) Hukbalahap Campaign Korean War |
| Awards | Distinguished Conduct Star |
| Other work | Secretary, Department of National Defense |
Maj. Gen. Fortunato Abat (Ret.) (born June 10, 1925) served as the 20th Secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND), Ambassador to the People's Republic of China, and Commanding General of the Philippine Army.
Fortunato Abat was born on June 10 in San Juan, La Union. He studied in Singalong Elementary School in the city of Manila from 1932–39, then in Araullo High School,1939-41. His secondary education was abruptly halted by the Japanese invasion during World War II. As a young teenager, he entered the Philippine Army as an enlisted man on April 15, 1944 before the Allied Liberation of the Philippines. He continued his secondary education in La Union High School even after World War II and completed his education in the year 1947.
Abat entered the Philippine Military Academy right after finishing his high school diploma, and graduated in the Class of '51, and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the Philippine Army. Along with 2nd Lieutenant Fidel V. Ramos, Abat joined the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK), where he served with distinction under the United Nations flag.
Abat's colorful military career brought him to become the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations & Training of the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division. Later on he became the Senior Armed Forces Attache at the Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He also was sent with the Philippine Delegation to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Meetings of SEATO Intelligence Assessment Committee in Bangkok, Thailand.
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