73rd IB officer bestowed 2nd highest military award

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 16): 73rd IB officer bestowed 2nd highest military award

A  rookie  military officer  assigned  at  the 73rd  Infantry  Battalion  of the 1002nd  Brigade  Philippine Army  was  among the   awardees  honored   during the   commencement  exercises  of the Philippine Military  Academy Class  2015   in Baguio City, Sunday, March 15.

President  Benigno  Aquino III, during the PMA Class 2015  graduation ceremony,  bestowed   2nd Lt. Jerson  Sanchez  a  Distinguished Conduct Star Medal,  the  second   highest military award.

Lt. Col. Felix  Ronnie  Babac, commanding officer of 73rd IB,  said Sanchez, a member  of PMA Class 2014,  was  honored  for his gallantry in action during an encounter  with  armed rebels in February.

Sanchez and his  team   were  patrolling the area  on February 16   when they  chanced upon  40 members of the New People’s Army in  Barangay  Datal  Anggas  in Alabel, Sarangani, where  gunfight  ensued.

The  encounter resulted in  the  recovery of   nine  high-powered  firearms  and death  of seven  NPA members  including seasoned  communist leader  Tolentino Bariquit alyas Brigol.

Five  of the  seven  NPA fatalities   were   identified  as  leaders of the  NPA’s  Guerilla Front 71. Recovered  from  the  group were 6 M-16 rifles, 2 AK-47s, and a baby Armalite.

In the succeeding days, 11 more members from the group surrendered and one of them brought with him a high powered firearm.

Pursuit operation yielded another high powered firearm in the neighboring barangay.

Babac  said,   President  Aquino’s  recognition of the  Sanchez  in  front of the  graduating  class sets an inspiration to the young officers to dedicate themselves in service to the people and in securing the nation.

As  the commanding  officer,  Babac  said  he takes pride of Sanchez’  achievement who will be the example of many young officers in doing their job excellently.

Babac  further  disclosed that the other soldiers  involved in the same encounter   were  awarded with Military Merit Medal interim to Gold Cross Medal by no less than the Commanding General of the Philippine Army,  Lt. Gen, Hernando  Iriberri.

Iriberri   came to the battalion  headquarters  of 73rd IB in Malita, Davao Occidental on  February 27 to pin the awards on the soldiers. 

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1611426454918/73rd-ib-officer-bestowed-2nd-highest-military-award