Wounded soldiers get medals

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Four wounded members of the Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) were commended for showing bravery in a recent clash with suspected New People’s Army (NPA) at Barangay Carabalan in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Sunday.

Colonel Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) led the pinning of the Wounded Personnel Medal to Corporal John Cris Laus, Corporal Lismer Jade Tumayao, Private First Class John Paul Geonzon, and Private First Class Alexis Mepranum.

The pinning was held at a private hospital here where they are confined.

Pasaporte said that the medal symbolizes the bravery of the soldiers in facing their common enemy.

“I salute each and every one of them for their selfless service and dedication in serving the people and protecting the peace in Negros,” he added.

Troopers of the 94th IB clashed with the rebels when they responded to alleged extortion activities of the NPA.

The soldiers were conducting community security patrol in the village amid the distribution of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the affected families of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Three of their colleagues – 2nd Lieutenant Ralf Amante Abibico, platoon leader of 94th IB Charlie Company, Corporal Joel Nobleza, and Private First Class Carl Venice Bustamante – died in the encounter.