Negrense soldiers proud to be called ‘Marawi liberators’

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 4): Negrense soldiers proud to be called ‘Marawi liberators’

A  Negrense soldier said he and his fellow troopers are proud to be called liberators of   Marawi City after almost four months of fighting the Islamic State-linked terrorists.

Technical Sergeant Jose Lumayno of Sipalay City,  Negros Occidental was one of the 81 soldiers of  the 31st Division Reconnaissance  Company of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division who were honored by the provincial government Friday in rites held at the Capitol grounds here.

Lumayno, who shared the difficulties in fighting the Mautes, said they came from Bohol, where they neutralized the Abu Sayyafs in April, before they were deployed to Marawi in June.

He added that their  first task was  to focus on security operations, including road blocks and check points.

“Kung maging history man ang Marawi siege, the 31st  Division Reconnaissance Company is one of the units that is proud to be called Marawi liberators,” Lumayno said.

First Lieutenant Richard Paul Gobway, commander of the 31st Division Reconnaissance Company,  said that in Marawi,  they conducted security clearing to prevent  enemy reinforcement and withdrawal from the main battle area.

We  also  did   “foot security to allow the seamless flow of combat support operation” of the assaulting units,” he added.

“During the later phase, we contributed to sandbagging. We brought  the sandbags to the frontliners for them advance because almost all of the buildings were destroyed. There was no cover for them,” Gobway said.

He added that their unit rescued four civilians trapped for almost a month in the main battle area, and recovered 11 high powered firearms and two rifle grenades.

During the ceremony, Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Maj. Gen. Jon Aying, commander of 3rd Infantry Division, led in paying tribute to the soldiers.

Marañon and Aying joined  the  families of the six Negrense soldiers (not only five as initially reported) who were killed in action during the wreath-laying rites.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/1014837