81 soldiers get medals

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jun 6, 2019): 81 soldiers get medals

The Philippine Army honored its 81 soldiers involved in two successful encounters against the New People’s Army in Negros Occidental, by awarding them with medals in separate ceremonies held Tuesday.

Brig. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, personally conferred Military Commendation Medals on 38 soldiers of the 62nd Infantry Battalion and 43 troopers of the 79th Infantry Battalion for demonstrating exemplary performance of duties in combat operations.

The encounter of the 62IB on May 4 in Sitio Dawhan, Brgy. Buenavista, HImamaylan City, Negros Occidental, led to five rebel casualties, the apprehension of a minor recruited by the NPA, recovery of an anti personnel land mine, seven back packs containing personal belongings and subversive documents, to the 303rd Infantry Brigade reported.

On May 15, the 79IB also figured in an encounter with communist rebels in Brgy. Minautok, Calatrava that also claimed the lives of five more rebels, based on reports of the populace, and the recovery of ammunition for Garand rifle, assorted foodstuff and personal belongings.

The pinning of medals was held in the headquarters of the 79IB in Brgy. Bato, Sagay City, andn the 62IB in Brgy. L:ibas, Isabela, Negros Occidental, respectively.

Arevalo said the medals he conferred on his men are in recognition of their commitment to the service, hard-work and bravery in fighting the NPA, noting that well-motivated and appreciated troops will perform better than what is expected from them.

Military records show that 225 medals were already conferred by Arevalo on soldiers under 303rd Brigade, for the 12 successful encounters against the NPA in Negros Occidental, since his assumption as its commander October 29 last year.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/June/06/topstory3.htm