Soldiers wounded in clash feted

By Glazyl Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – National Defense Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr., and some military officials recognized the six wounded soldiers who clashed with suspected New People’s Army (NPA) in the series of encounters in Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental from Oct. 6 to 8.

Faustino, along with Lieutenant General Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP); Lieutenant General Romeo Brawner Jr., commanding general of the Philippine Army; Major General Benedict Arevalo, commander of 3rd Infantry Division (ID); and Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) led the pinning of Wounded Personnel Medal (WPM) to the wounded soldiers at a private hospital here last Sunday.

The wounded soldiers are Corporal Joey Gardose, Private First Class (PFC) Rolly Rama, PFC June Fuentes, PFC Wilson Liander Jr.,  Private Wilchor Recaña, and Sergeant Edgiel Ucag, who are all personnel of the 94th Infantry “Mandirigma” Battalion (IB).

Two of their colleagues – Corporal Christian Drilon, a native of San Enrique, Iloilo, and Corporal Rex Verde, a native of Guimaras – were killed in the clash on Oct. 8 while they were pursuing the rebels.

Faustino recognized the bravery and selfless dedication of the operating troops in securing and protecting the people of Himamaylan City against the alleged extortion, deceptive recruitment of minors, and other terroristic activities of the NPA.

For his part, Arevalo lauded the heroism of the wounded soldiers who risked their lives in pursuit of just and lasting peace in Negros.

“These medals will remind us of the bravery and heroic deeds you have displayed for the people of Negros Island to continue living in peace,” Arevalo said.

He said their gallantry will also motivate them to continue their quest in ending the local communist armed conflict to fulfill the Negrenses’ fervent desire for a Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA-free community.

Meanwhile, Pasaporte, said in a message, that the medal symbolizes their bravery in facing the enemy, and selfless dedication to their oath to protect the people and the country.

“As your brigade commander, I want to recognize your collective efforts, and may this simple occasion motivate you to do more and perform well on your next mission,” Pasaporte said, as he urged them continue their efforts in going after the NPA rebels.