AFP awards merit medal to Army troops who were part of the successful operation vs armed rebels in Tarlac

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 7): AFP awards merit medal to Army troops who were part of the successful operation vs armed rebels in Tarlac

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) awarded on Tuesday Military Merit Medal to eight members of the 3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion of the Army who were part of the security forces that successfully neutralized armed rebels in an encounter last week in Camiling, Tarlac.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin led the conferment of honors along with AFP Chief of Staff General Emmanuel Bautista, Army Chief Lt. General Noel Coballes, Northern Luzon Command Commander Major General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr, and Army 7th Infantry Division Commander Brigadier General Hernando DCA Iriberri in a ceremony held at Subic Bay Freeport.

The operation, which was jointly done with the Philippine National Police, killed six rebels and captured one.

Aside from casualties from the enemy, the troops were also able to confiscate 10 high-powered firearms as well as subversive documents. The security forces did not suffer any casualties.

“The operation in Camiling last July 30 is so far, one of the biggest accomplishments of the AFP for calendar year 2013. Some of these rebels have pending criminal cases filed at the Regional Trial Court,” said Catapang.

For his part Iriberri noted, “it is very clear that the people are now aware and tired of the criminal acts of these armed groups conducting extortion activities to the residents who are less fortunate. They’ve lost in the ideological war and resorted to criminal activities,”

“We encourage our constituents to continue to be vigilant and report any presence of armed groups in the area so that we could totally neutralize them and restore peace and order so that progress will be felt by our stakeholders,” Iriberri added.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=561375846430