Army chief awards 4ID soldiers

From the Sun Star-Cagayan de Oro (Dec 27): Army chief awards 4ID soldiers

SEVEN soldiers belonging to the 4th Infantry Division in Cagayan de Oro City were pinned their medals, which were awarded to them for exemplary show of bravery during the different encounters in the division’s area of responsibility.

Lieutenant General Noel Coballes, commanding general of the Philippine Army, pinned the medals of recognition on the soldiers.

The gold cross medal, which is the fourth highest military award, was given to Private First Class (Pfc.) Dexie A. Macalaya; Pfc. Niño S. Negolo and Pfc. Jonbert L. Sabado all from Charlie Company, 58th Infantry (Dimalulupig) Battalion.

The unit encountered around 30 New People's Army members in Barangay Ampianga, Sugbongcogon, Misamis Oriental, wherein two rebels were killed and two firearms were recovered.

The Military Merit Medal, which is given to recognize a soldier’s heroic achievement during or in support to military action, was also given to Captain Henry M. Pang-Ay of 26th Infantry (Ever Onwards) Battalion; Corporal Algrin T. Yañez of 42nd Division Reconnaisance Company; 1st Lieutenant Norman M. Tagros and Corporal Dandy T. Panganiban both from 8th Infantry (Dependable) Battalion.

Coballes was in Mindanao to see the overall condition of his troops in the different areas and to personally delivered to the soldiers his Christmas message and give recognition to the effort of the 4th ID under the command of Major General Ricardo Visaya.

He underscored the efforts of the soldiers for the different programs it successfully supported for the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan.”

Coballes said that the operations of the division resulted in the neutralization of almost 100 NPA rebels and the recovery of 80 firearms.

He also mentioned the significant accomplishment of the unit in terms of environmental protection, which added to the country’s overall economic output most specifically that of Northern Mindanao.

“Lubos akong nagpapasalamat sa suportang binigay ninyo sa aking pamumuno at sa inyong taus-pusong paglilingkod sa bayan,” Coballes said.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/local-news/2013/12/27/army-chief-awards-4id-soldiers-320546