President Aquino cites Army 2nd lieutenant who defeated communist rebels in Sarangani province

BAGUIO CITY, March 15 (PNA) -- President Benigno Aquino III awarded on Sunday a Philippine Army second lieutenant with Distinguished Conduct Star for defeating communist rebels in Sarangani province.Lt. Jerson Sanchez received his award during the commencement exercises of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Sinaglahi Class at Fort General Gregorio del Pilar in Baguio City.During his speech in the PMA graduation rites, President Aquino said the new graduates or mistah should follow the footsteps of Lt. Sanchez. Sana ay matumbasan o mahigitan ninyo ang ipinamalas ng inyong upperclassman na si 2nd Lieutenant Jerson Sanchez, President Aquino told the new graduates who will also have the rank of Second Lieutenant. Bibigyan ko ng diinand Bagitong sundalo si 2nd Lieutenant Sanchez, at hindi pa siya miyembro ng isang elite unit. Pero sa maikling panahon pa lamang nang inilagi niya sa serbisyo, nagpakita na siya ng ibayong tapang at epektibong pamumuno. Malinaw sa kanyaand Habang nagpupursige siyang tugisin ang mga kalaban, lalo silang magdadalawang-isip na magsagawa ng operasyon dahil alam nilang de-kalibre ang mga sundalong nakabantay, he added.Last Feb. 16, Lt. Sanchez and his troops conducted a surveillance and follow-up operation against more than 30 members of the New People's Army (NPA) in Barangay Datal Anggas, Alabel, Sarangani province.Lt. Sanchez, even with an inferior force against the enemy, managed to device a strategy that led to the scattering of the opponents' force.This operation resulted to the capture of nine high-powered firearms, five explosive devices, death of seven rebels and surrender of 11 others. Sa Sinaglahi Class of 2015: Hindi naman kayo nagpakahirap at nagpakasakit sa PMA para sa huli ay mabalewala at masayang lamang ito. Pinatunayan ni Lt. Sanchez at ng kanyang mga kasamahan ang positibong bunga ng kanilang mahusay at tapat na pagtupad sa tungkulin. At kung ang bawat isa sa inyo sa Sinaglahi Class ay maninindigan at gagamitin ang inyong angking galing at lakas upang tumbasan o higitan ang nagawa ng mga nauna sa inyo, maipapamana natin sa susunod na henerasyon ang isang bayang di hamak na mas maganda kaysa ating dinatnan, said the President. (PNA)SCS/PND/SSC