AFP awards Nolcom units for dismantling communist fronts

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 3, 2021): AFP awards Nolcom units for dismantling communist fronts (By Zorayda Tecson)

RECOGNITION. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, delivers his message during an awarding ceremony held at the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) headquarters in Camp Aquino, Tarlac on Tuesday (Feb. 2, 2021). Gapay bestowed battle streamer awards to the military units under Nolcom that were instrumental in dismantling communist terrorist fronts operating in Central and Northern Luzon. (Photo courtesy of Northern Luzon Command)

CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has given recognition to military units under the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) that were instrumental in dismantling communist terrorist fronts operating in Central and Northern Luzon.

AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Gilbert Gapay bestowed battle streamer awards to the units during his visit to the Nolcom Headquarters here on Tuesday.

Awarded were the Joint Task Force Kaugnay and Joint Task Group Defenders for successfully dismantling Komiteng Larangang Gerilya South Ilocos Sur (KLG SIS), the communist terrorist front that operates in the province of Ilocos Sur and some parts of Ilocos Norte and Abra.

Joint Task Force Tala and Joint Task Group Liberator were also awarded for successfully dismantling Komiteng Larangang Gerilya Quirino–Nueva Vizcaya, the communist terrorist front that operates in the provinces of Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya.

Gapay, in his message during the ceremony, lauded Nolcom for adhering to its commitment to defeating the communist terrorists in Northern and Central Luzon amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

He said that battle streamers that were awarded are "manifestations of Nolcom’s outstanding performance as far as internal security operation is concerned".

He also recognized the efforts of Nolcom on territorial defense, highlighting that “the facilities that were established in Mavulis Island and the 11 sovereign markers that were constructed in the chain of uninhabited islands have significantly contributed in asserting the country’s sovereignty in the northern maritime territory.”

Likewise, he cited Nolcom’s disaster response efforts, particularly in mitigating the impact of Typhoon Ulysses on the residents who were affected by the flood.

“Nolcom has its hands full in addressing the threat to internal security, territorial defense, and disaster response. But Nolcom confronted the challenge head-on and stood victorious,” he said in a statement.

He encouraged the members of Nolcom to perform their duties with utmost dedication and commitment.

“Our duty may be huge, but we must remember to always give our hearts, our skills and our very best for our country and for our people, whom we have sworn to serve,” he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1129430