Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Army general honors soldiers for preventing bombings in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 21): Army general honors soldiers for preventing bombings in Maguindanao

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, Ampatuan.

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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