81 soldiers get Medals of Valor

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – 81 soldiers were recognized and commended on Tuesday for their bravery in two separate encounters against New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros Occidental last month.

Brigadier General Benedict Arevalo, commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) of the Philippine Army, pinned the medals to 38 members of the 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) and 43 members of the 79th IB at their respective headquarters in Isabela town and Sagay City, respectively.

The military troops received Military Commendation Medals for demonstrating exemplary performance of duties in combat operations.

62nd IB troopers clashed with the NPA members at Sitio Dawhan, in Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City on May 4, resulting in the recovery of an anti-personnel mine, seven backpacks, personal belongings, and subversive documents.

It was followed by a second encounter between the 79th IB and the rebels at Sitio Puting Tubig in Barangay Minautok, Calatrava town on May 15, wherein a magazine with eight ammunition for Garrand carbine rifle, three cellular phones, food, and other belongings were recovered.

Arevalo said, “the medals I give to my soldiers, are recognition of their commitment, hard-work and bravery in fighting the terrorist NPAs.”