Kalinaw News: AFP Chief and Valor Awardee General Sobejana goes back to Encounter Site, Honors living and fallen Comrades

Posted to the Kalinaw News Website (Jul 29, 2021): AFP Chief and Valor Awardee General Sobejana goes back to Encounter Site, Honors living and fallen Comrades



ISABELA CITY, Basilan – After twenty-six (26) years, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines General Cirilito E Sobejana goes back to the encounter site at Sitio Caro, Brgy Lower Kapayawan, Isabela City, Basilan where he was awarded the highest military award in the country – the Medal of Valor.

General Sobejana reminisced their daring encounter against an estimated one-hundred fifty (150) members of the Al Qaeda-inspired Abu Sayyaf Group way back January 13, 1995 where he was severely wounded to the point that his right arm was barely attached to the rest of his body. Though in pain and with a shattered rifle after it was hit by enemy fire, he never lost composure and continued leading his men maneuvering and even exposing himself alone to enemy fire in order to divert attention from his other troops. After almost five (5) hours of intense fighting, military reinforcements arrived to aid then Captain Sobejana and his team killing thirty (30) of the terrorists and leaving several wounded.

He met with surviving CAFGUs who are now under the administrative control and operational supervision of the 4th Special Forces Battalion who were with him at the time of the operation and honored his fallen comrades through an in-memoriam landmark at the very site of the encounter delivering an emotional filled and humble prayer to remember their honorable and faithful service to the nation.

Brigadier General Gobway, and Battalion Commanders under Joint Task Force Basilan and 101st Brigade with Lieutenant Colonel Ampati, 4SFB, Manny Muarip of Basilan Provincial Office, and Father Julius Boado of Claret School of Maluso accompanied General Sobejana during the said event.





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