Gov. Alfredo Marañon welcomes back the 31st Division Reconnaissance Company soldiersled by 1Lt. Paul Gobway who fought the ISIS-inspired Maute terrorist group in Marawi City.* ( Andy Alvarez photo )
Troopers of the 31st Division Reconnaissance Company were among these who fought the Abu Sayyaf bandits in Bohol and the ISIS-inspired Maute terrorist groups in Marawi City for five months this year.
Now they are up for another battle with another terrorist group in Negros Island - the New People's Army, Maj. Gen. Jon Aying, commanding general of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division, said yesterday.
Led by 1Lt. Paul Gobway, a recipient of a Gold Cross Medal for his exploits in Bohol, the newly-arrived 31 st DRC troopers from Marawi were accorded with a heroes' welcome yesterday by the provincial government of Negros Occidental headed by Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr.
Aying said the 31 st DRC survived the five-month long battle with the Maute terrorist group, without any casualty or injuries.
The 31st DRC will join the 303rd Infantry Brigade and conduct joint operations with the 62IB and 79IB, with the 1st and 2nd Negros Island Geographical Battalions, against the NPA in Negros, he added.
Before their deployment in Marawi City, Aying said the 31st DRC also fought with Abu Sayyaf bandits in Bohol, and its commander, 1Lt. Gobway, figured in hand-to-hand combat with one of the ASG members.
Now that they are back from Marawi, Aying said “We hail them as our heroes”.
The unit of Gobway is among the three DRC units of 3ID, with two others- 32nd and 33rd- presently deployed in conflict-areas of Regions 6 and 7.
Military records show that the 31 st DRC led by Gobway is among the 3ID infantry units responsible for the neutralization of Abu Sayyaf bandits, who were all killed, while trying to expand their operations in Bohol, in April this year.
Gobway said they were able to rescue four civilians trapped in the main battle area of Marawi for almost a month, recover 11 high-powered firearms and two rifle grenades.
The 31st DRC had been also tasked to conduct rear security to prevent Maute reinforcement and withdrawal from Marawi main battle area, road security, supporting and securing mortar platoons of advancing units, as well as tanks to prevent them from being hit by RPG (rocket propelled grenades), among others.
Comparing his experiences in battles with Abu Sayyaff and Maute terrorist groups, Gobway said the plans of ASG in Bohol did not materialize because the people immediately reported their presence to the authorities, while the populace in Marawi did not dare to report the Maute presence to government forces.
GUV'S HELP
Marañon said Negrenses are very thankful for the sacrifices of 31 st DRC soldiers sent to Marawi, and six Negrense soldiers assigned in other infantry units who died in battle.
He said a small amount of support will be given to the families of the Negrense soldiers slain in Marawi, which he is leaving to the Sangguniang Panlalalwigan to determine.
“Your splendid effort will go down in history, which will not only be put on record in the history of the Philippines, but also in many other military journals”, Marañon said.
“Keep up the good work and let us make this province more peaceful and progressive,” he said.
In Bohol, the civilians gave strategic information. Without the cooperation of civilians, the situation could have been longer, Marañon said, apparently referring to the ASG expansion of operations in the island.
In Marawi, there was an exact opposite, he noted.
With their experience in Marawi, I can say that they (31 st DRC) are complete soldiers who can fight anywhere, he also said.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2017/November/04/topstory1.htm
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