The 303rd Infantry Brigade awarded Wounded Personnel Medals (WPM) to four personnel of the 79th Infantry (Masaligan) Battalion injured in encounters with New People’s Army rebels in Escalante City last week.
Col. Victor M Llapitan, 303rd IB deputy commander, pinned the medals on the four at a private hospital in Bacolod City, on Friday, February 23.
Awarded medals were 2LT Frenz Jarey Gonzales, Private First Class Sandie Cebayle, Private First Class Jiezard Mesina, and CAA Eduardo Linogon in recognition of their “heroic and exemplary efforts” during encounters with remnants of the dismantled North Negros Front at Sitio Mansulao, Brgy Pinapugasan, Escalante City, an Army press release said.
“The medal symbolizes the bravery of our soldiers in facing our common enemy, the Communist NPA terrorists, and I salute each and every one of them for their selfless service and dedication in serving the people and protecting the peace in Negros,” Llapitan said.*