Fleet-Marine warriors receive medals

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 26): Fleet-Marine warriors receive medals

The Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) has awarded medals to its Fleet-Marine warriors who fought a five-month violent and intense battle against the Daesh-inspired terrorists in Marawi City.

Read Adm. Rene Medina, NFWM commander, spearheaded the awarding ceremony, which was held Wednesday aboard the Landing Dock-601 (BRP-Tarlac).

The BRP-Tarlac, which was commissioned into service with the Philippine Navy June 1, 2016, has served as the Naval Task Group Command Post during the Marawi battle.

Medina said the awardees were members of the following units: Forward Support Medical Team Task Force Tiger; 12th Motor Transport Company, Combat Service Support Task Group 6; 61st, 62nd, 63rd, 64th, and 65th Marine Companies of the Marine Special Operations Group; 6th Marine Company of Marine Battalion Landing Team-6 (MBLT-6); 16th Marine Company, Field artillery Battalion; 73rd Marine Company, Assault Armor Battalion of Combat Service and Support Brigade; 57th Marine Company, MBLT-7 of 1st Marine Brigade; Headquarters and Service Company of MBLT-10; and, Naval Special Operations Group.

“The medals were awarded to the deserving Marawi troopers who fought a violent and intense battle for five months against the Abu Sayyaf Group and ISIS inspired-Maute group,” Medina told the Philippine News Agency.

He said the Civil Military Operations Unit- Western Mindanao was awarded for the conduct of numerous humanitarian assistance and relief operations during the height of the crisis in Marawi City.

He said that the 1st Marine Brigade Command Group Alpha was also given award for the Civil Military Operations, logistical and operational assistance they have provided to the troops in besieged city Marawi.

Brig. Gen. Melquiades Ordiales Jr., 1st Marine Brigade and Joint Task Group Tiger commander and Col. Hernanie Songano, NFWM deputy commander for marine operations along with NFWM staff assisted Medina in the awarding ceremony.

The awarding ceremony was followed by a “boodle fight” meal with Medina and members of the Fleet-Marine Team.

The traditional Boodle fight meal strengthened the bonds of trust and solidarity between the commander and his troops and one way to celebrate the liberation of Marawi City.

Marawi has been declared liberated from Maute terrorists group on October 17 by President Rodrigo Duterte after the death of Abu Sayyaf Group leader Isnilon Hapilon and Maute Group leader, Omar Maute.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/1013966