BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Forty-seven Army soldiers were conferred with medals in recognition of their exemplary performance during encounters with separate groups of New People’s Army rebels in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, and Cauayan, Negros Occidental, that resulted in the neutralization of a ranking rebel leader, and two others, as well as recovery of assorted war materials.
Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 3rd Infantry Division commander, led the awarding of Military Merit Medals to 31 soldiers of the 62nd Infantry Battalion who figured in an encounter with 10 communist rebels on July 26 in Brgy. Budlasan, Canlaon City.
The encounter led to the death of a ranking rebel leader and two others, who have allegedly been encouraged by their former comrades to surrender, as well as the recovery of assorted high-powered firearms and explosives, according to the 62nd Infantry Battalion.
The awarding rites was held on August 1 at the 62IB headquarters in Brgy. Libas, Isabela, Negros Occidental.
Sixteen other Army soldiers, members of the 47th Infantry Battalion, were also honored by Arevalo in separate awarding rites, held in Brgy. Tiling, Cauayan, Negros Occidental.
The 16 Army soldiers received similar medals from Arevalo, in recognition of their gallantry displayed during an encounter with another group of communist rebels in Brgy. Inayawan, Cauayan, that also resulted in the recovery of assorted firearms and explosives.
Arevalo congratulated 62nd and 47th Infantry Battalion soldiers for a job well done.
As I promise, I will not get tired of awarding medals to deserving personnel and continuously acknowledging, appreciating and congratulating everyone for a job well done, Arevalo said.*
