Military officials on Wednesday honored soldiers for the
successful recovery of high explosives, assorted rifles and machine gun
following a brief encounter with outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters
(BIFF) in Maguindanao over the weekend.
Major General Carlito Galvez, 6th Infantry Division
commander lauded operating troops of the 57th Infantry Battalion under Lt.
Colonel Jose Ambrosio and 601st Brigade Commander Colonel Cirilito Sobejana for
preventing what could be bombings in Maguindanao or nearby places.
Sobejana told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) Wednesday
that elements of 57th IB have received a tip from concerned citizens about the
presence of heavily armed men in a remote sub-village of Barangay
Kauran
Following intelligence verification, Rustia formed a team to
verify the report Saturday afternoon. As government troops entered the village
at past 4 p.m. they were fired at by armed men later identified to be members
of the BIFF.
A brief encounter occurred until the armed men fled deep
into the forest, leaving behind a cache of firearms and explosives, some were
unearth by operating troops.
“They could be behind the bombings in Maguindanao against
the military,” Sobejana said of the group in possession of mortars that included
60 mm, 81 mm mortars and six 105 howitzers.
“Our investigation continues,” Sobejana said as he lauded
citizens for alerting the military on the presence of armed men in their
communities. “We need people like them,” he added.
About two hours after the Barangay Kauran, Ampatuan brief
encounter, elements of the 1st Mechanized Brigade deactivated three improvised
explosive devices left at the entrance to Hill 166 military camp in Barangay
Meta, Datu Unsay, Maguindanao.
“Obviously, it was meant for the military because it was
planted at the road leading to an Army base,” Sobejana said. “Lucky enough,
civilians reported their discovery to the military and prevented explosions
that could harm commuters,” he added.
In ceremonies held at 601st brigade headquarters, Galvez
lauded the operating troops for the feat, saying it was expected of them as
government military authorities. He also commended the civilians and the
intelligence operatives for timely and prompt action.
“You all deserved commendations, another job well done,”
Galvez told 601st brigade operating troops for the successful ant-terrorist
operation.
“Can you imagine if these explosives were used by these
lawless elements, not only against the military but civilians as well,” he
said, pointing to recovered war materials at the 601st brigade headquarters.
Sobejana said the seized high explosives were similar to
IEDs set off by BIFF in Maguindanao in recent years.
Recognizing the feat, Galvez awarded Bronze Cross Medals to
Colonel Sobejana, Lt. Col. Rustia, Capt. Nasrula Sema, 1Lt. Redentor Dimayug,
Private First Class Mario de Emoy.
Also awarded with Military Merit Medal were 1Lt. Jano Cyrill
Reyes, 2Lt. Guillermo Pablo, 2Lt. Reynaldo Maglasang and PFC Ryant Abella.
Galvez also awarded Military Merit Medal with bronze
Spearhead Device to 2Lt. Cenar Malana, Staff Sgt. Renante Bolivar, Corporals
Alger Alipuyo and Archie Dema-ala and PFC Adrian Ganancial.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=924812
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