14 injured soldiers at landmine explosion receive Wounded Personnel Medal from PRRD

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 18): 14 injured soldiers at landmine explosion receive Wounded Personnel Medal from PRRD

The 14 soldiers who were wounded in a landmine explosion during a pursuit and clearing operations against the armed rebel group, the New People’s Army (NPA), were personally visited by President Rodrigo Duterte on February 17.

The president spoke with the soldiers, who are presently confined at the Camp Panacan Station Hospital (CPSH) of the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan.

During his hospital visit, the President awarded each soldier with the Wounded Personnel Medal, a recognition for putting their lives at risk for fighting the NPA.

They were also given cash assistance and cellular phones.

The wounded were identified as Cpl. Bel Jon D. Soratos; Cpl. Joe Mark O. Accad; Cpl. Allan R. Aguilar; Cpl. Abelardo Suela, Jr.; Cpl. Rey M. Danaytan; Pfc. Kevin Nuesca; Pfc. Paul John Aromin; Pfc. Dominic M. Alegado; Pfc. Marlon Soriano; Pfc. John L. Tecson; Pfc. Celso Oliveros Neri, Jr.; Pfc. Alvin S. Omagtang; Pvt. Noel M. Ramos and 2Lt. Harvey Kyl Escora.

Two soldiers were also killed during the said explosion, identified as Cpl. Michael Yadao and Pvt. Vilmel Damondon.

The explosion took place at Barangay Lamanan, Calinan District on February 16, where the soldiers were stationed as part of the Charlie and Alpha Companies and Scout Platoon of the 3rd Infantry Battalion.

Reports say the encounter occurred when members of the NPA Pulang Bagani Command 1 under alias Jinggoy and Pulang Bagani Command 2 under alias Lando attacked military troops in the second and third districts of the city on February 16.

Around 5:30 A.M., the rebels attacked a military detachment in Malabog, Paquibato District, during which one NPA rebel was killed.

Around noon time, the NPA also attacked civilian communities and burned down equipment at a pineapple plantation in Baguio District.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines believes the series of attacks perpetrated by the rebel group are retaliations for the death of their comrade in a recent encounter in the city’s Paquibato District.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1141487422158/14-injured-soldiers-at-landmine-explosion-receive-wounded-personnel-medal-from-prrd