Soldiers feted for gallantry in Sulu
Mindanao Armed Conflict • 11:30 AM Wed Jun 5, 2019
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By:
PIO Westmincom
Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega pins Wounded Personnel Medal to one of the soldiers hurt in Sulul clashes with Abus. (Westmincom)
ZAMBOANGA CITY - Soldiers who valiantly fought Abu Sayyaf fighters last week were recognized by Western Mindanao Command in Sulu yesterday June 4.
Corporal Arsenio Upaco, Jr., Corporal Sonny Jumoc, Private First Class Dietherben Rabe, Private First Class Harry Boy Calapiz, Private First Class Abduhasad Bakadji, Private First Class Edwin Yurong, Private First Class Joevert Ramirez, Private First Class Edison Alom, Private Albert Daligdig, Private Dominic Osorio, Private Jeric Peñaredondo, Private Ramil Diaz, Jr., Private Chovie Mar Almodel, and Private Ramord Balambao received the Wounded Personnel Medal from Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega, Western Mindanao Command chief.
Said personnel of 11th Infantry Division, Philippine Army ferociously engaged Abu Sayyaf militants under top leader Radullan Sahiron in more than an hour of gunfight in Barangay Pansul, Patikul on May 31.
"The series of focused and deliberate operations debilitated the manpower and strength of Abu Sayyaf militants, who are unable to endure long and successive battles initiated by the Joint Task Force Sulu in known bailiwicks of terrorists,” said Lt. Gen. Dela Vega.
“Just like other personnel who were wounded in our previous operations, I congratulate you for doing your part in the accomplishment of our mission. By this time, we have no high-profile kidnap victim so we can sustain our momentum and defeat the Abu Sayyaf. Remain focused and employ whatever you learned from our previous offensives to ensure your safety,” he added.
Soldiers were awarded at Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital in Bus-bus, Jolo, Sulu.