A year later, he took courses in Civil Affairs, Instructor training, and Officer Qualification Record for becoming a member of Special Forces.

For his heroic actions on April 6, 1990, in a raid against the Communist New People's Army in Negros Occidental, he was awarded the Philippine Medal of Valor by President Corazon Aquino.

Philippine Army "For acts of conspicuous courage, gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above beyond the call of duty during a fierce firefight with about 200 numerically superior rebels at Sitio Manipolun, Pandaran, Murcia, Negros Occidental on 6 April 1990, while serving as Commander of five joint teams of the 606th Special Forces Company, Philippine Army and elements of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Units.

Upon receiving information on the presence of a large communist terrorist camp in the hinterland of Murcia, CAPT ORTIZ initiated and planned a raid mission on the place.

Leading his men in hot pursuit against the scampering rebels, the troops overwhelmed the enemy and completely overran the 28-hut NPA training camp.