• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID) conferred medals on 42 soldiers stationed in Negros Island in recognition of their exemplary service.
Maj. Gen. Michael Samson, 3ID commander, bestowed the awards to 15 soldiers of the 94th Infantry Battalion during its founding anniversary in Barangay Libas, Isabela, Negros Occidental on Feb. 18.
Samson recognized them for their outstanding performance in operations against remnants of the New People’s Army Central Negros 2 and Regional Strike Force Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros in Barangay Bi-ao, Binalbagan on Jan. 31.
The encounter resulted in the death of Reynaldo Erecre, secretary of the KR- Negros, and alias “Dante”.
The soldiers also recovered an M16 rifle and a caliber .45 pistol from the slain rebels.
Samson led the awarding of medals to six soldiers of the 62nd Infantry Battalion at Camp Tirambulo, Barangay McKinley, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on Feb. 17.
The six soldiers participated in a gunbattle with remnants of the dismantled Central Negros 1 guerrilla front in Barangay Binobohan, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.
The clash led to the death of two suspected rebels as well as the recovery of an M16 assault rifle, a caliber .45 pistol, and fragmentation grenade on Jan. 31.
Samson also conferred military merit medals on 12 members of the 47th Infantry Battalion in recognition of their bravery during an encounter with remnants of Central Negros 2 in Barangay Binobohan, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.
Two rebels were killed while two high-powered firearms and a fragmentation grenade were recovered.
Nine soldiers of the 79th Infantry Battalion were also honored by Samson during his visit to the military camp in Barangay Bato, Sagay City, Negros Occidental.
The series of visits of Samson to military camps in Negros Island aim to ensure the welfare of the troops, strengthen their morale, and reaffirm the readiness of each unit in sustaining the campaign against insurgency to maintain peace and security across Negros Island, a statement from the 3ID Public Affairs Office said. | GB
