ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) has awarded medals to four soldiers for gallantry in action during the military operation that killed the leader of the Islamic State (IS)-inspired Dawlah Islamiya in Lanao del Sur.
Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Westmincom chief, led Wednesday's awarding ceremony at the headquarters of the Joint Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao provinces) in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.
Col. Gerry Besana, Westmincom information officer, said that the Gold Cross Medal was presented to 2nd Lt. Jophet Orbeta and the Military Merit Medal to Sgt. Jayar Penetrante, Sgt. Arcee Formanes, and Pvt. Romy Villamor, of the Army’s 49th Infantry Battalion.
Besana said they were recognized for the successful focused military operation in Tubaran, Lanao del Sur last March 14 that resulted in the death of four terrorists, including Owaydah Marohomsar alias “Abu Dar”, the leader of the Dawlah Islamiya, formerly known as the Maute group.
“Abu Dar” is regarded as the successor of Isnilon Hapilon, the self-declared "emir" of IS in Southeast Asia who was also killed in Marawi along with Maute brothers Omarkayam and Abdullah.
Besana said dela Vega congratulated the members of Team Tabak and Joint Task Force Zampelan for their dedication and professionalism “in the conduct of our focused military operations.”
“Let this (recognition) be an added, not a primary, motivation in our efforts to quell terrorism in the area of operations. We should remain focused on the task at hand and, for sure, we will never go wrong in as far as each and every responsibility of the personnel of JTF (Joint Task Force) Zampelan is concerned,” dela Vega was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, dela Vega also reminded ground commanders under JTF Zampelan to maximize and allow personnel to exercise their right of suffrage during the command conference held at the headquarters of the task force on Wednesday.
“We must ensure that there will be no failure of elections in any polling centers. Otherwise, it will reflect on us that we are incapable of ensuring the conduct of an orderly, peaceful, and credible election,” he said.
He said military units must have contingency plans “to promptly address any situation and proceed with the elections.”
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1068144
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