The AFP Gold Cross Medal. WIKIPEDIA
A young lieutenant will be awarded a-coveted combat medal, the third highest Gold Cross when the Philippine Army celebrates its 119th founding anniversary on Tuesday at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.
President Benigno Aquino will award the medal to 2Lt. Franz Arvin Balmaceda of the 73rd Infantry Battalion.
According to battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel Ronnie Babac, Balmaceda deserves the medal for his leadership on leading his troopers during a successful combat operation against the New People’s Army (NPA) on February 16, 2015 in Sarangani.
“In that combat operation in Barangay Datal Aggas in Alabel town, Lt. Balmaceda led his troopers in battling the NPA that resulted in the killing of 7 rebels, recovery of 9 high-powered firearms and 3 improvised explosive devices (IED), subversive documents, and other war materials,” Babac attested.
“The encounter eventually led to the surrender of another 13 rebels after pursuit operation was conducted,” he added.
Babac said that months after that, on July 2, 2015, the Guerilla Front 75 was “eventually dissolved” by the NPA.
“Lt. Balmaceda displayed the character of a leader worth emulating. Despite being outnumbered, he led his troops to a more vantage position and out=maneuvered the armed group that resulted in the success of the operation,” Babac said.
He said the battalion gives that credit to Balmaceda and all the members of his team who had badly beaten the NPA in that particular combat mission.
Two more awardees from thr battalion will be presented at the Army’s anniversary.
Cafgu Army Auxiliary (CAA) Gregorio Laginan of Datal Anggas, Alabel Patrol Base will receive the “Kagitingan sa Barangay” for his dedication and contributions to peace and development efforts.
Senior Police Officer 3 Ezrael D. Lantingan of Alabel Police Station will receive the Command Plaque in recognition of his “legal cooperation effort” to the Army.
“The award is a simple way the Philippine Army thanks them for their support in our quest of attaining just and lasting peace in our area of responsibility. They showed that with the collaborative effort of all stakeholders, we can win the peace,” Babac said.
http://interaksyon.com/article/125462/gold-cross-medal-goes-to-young-army-lieutenant
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.