Army soldiers feted for Guihulngan clash

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Eleven personnel of the Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) were commended for their bravery and heroism in a clash with the New People’s Army (NPA) in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental last week.

Major General Benedict Arevalo, commander of 3rd Infantry Division (ID), along with Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) awarded them  the Military Merit Medal (Spearhead Device) during his visit at the 62nd IB headquarters in Barangay Libas, Isabela, Negros Occidental last Sunday.

The military troopers received the medals for their exemplary performance in an encounter against the NPA at Sitio Taluktok, Barangay Sandayao on July 20.

The clash resulted in the neutralization of 54-year-old Pompeo Landesa, an alleged member of Central Negros 1, Komiteng Rehiyon Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor (KR-NCBS), and the recovery of two firearms, a hand grenade, and subversive documents.

“I am very happy to be back,” Arevalo said, as he congratulated the soldiers.

“This is a team effort that everyone contributed to the success of operation,” Arevalo said, as he also emphasized the significant effort of the people who supported the operating troops in accomplishing their mission.