Forty-two soldiers and two K9 dogs received Military Merit Medals from the Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division commander, MGen. Benedict Arevalo, on Friday, June 17.
Of the 42 soldiers, two were officers and 38 were Enlisted Personnel from the 15IB and two from the Army K9 Unit, a press release from the 3rd Infantry Division said Saturday, June 18.
Two military K9 dogs, “Orly” and “Otep”, also received the same award.
The awardees were involved in a Negros Occidental clash that left one New People’s Army fighter dead and a high-powered firearm seized at Sitio Tigmaya, Brgy Gatuslao, Candoni, Negros Occidental, on May 3.
“May these awards motivate and inspire other Spearhead Troopers to do their best and exert more efforts in promoting peace not only in Negros island, but in other areas of Western and Central Visayas,” Arevalo said.*