BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Fifteen Army soldiers assigned in northern Negros were conferred with medals on September 23 by Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, during his visit at the 79th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Brgy. Bato, Sagay City, Negros Occidental.
Pasaporte led the awarding of Military Merit Medals to 15 soldiers of the 79IB, in recognition of their accomplishments in the fight against remnants of the Northern Negros Front of Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor.
Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, 79IB commander, assisted Pasaporte in the conferring of medals to deserving Army personnel.
The 79IB recently scored a major blow in the leadership of the Northern Negros Front, following the neutralization of its front secretary, Kerima Lorena Tariman, who and his colleague died in encounter on August 20 in Brgy.Kapitan Ramon, Silay City.
Javines said they are anticipating a possible retaliation from the NPA for the death of Tariman, a Bicolana, who was re-assigned with her husband by the CPP-NPA to Negros Island two years ago.
He disclosed that they are validating intelligence reports on plans of the local terrorist group to stage assassination activities against government forces in northern Negros.
Pasaporte commended the effort of 79IB for its many accomplishments in its area of operations.
At the same time, he encouraged the 79IB troops to keep up the good work and continue its high standard of professionalism in performing its duties, particularly in accomplishing its units mission in northern Negros.*
