The Visayas Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) awarded medals to 49 soldiers from the 303rd Infantry Brigade and infantry battalions in Negros Island on Wednesday, November 15.
Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, VISCOM commander, conferred 13 Gold Cross Medals, 13 Silver Cross Medals, 14 Military Merit Medals with Bronze Spearhead Device, five Gawad sa Kaunlaran, and five Parangal sa Kapanalig ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas Medals and Ribbon to soldiers of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, 79th, 94th, and 15th Infantry Battalions during his visit to Camp Nelson Gerona in Barangay Minoyan, Murcia, Negros Occidental.
Among the recipients, nine were from the 303rd Brigade, consisting of five officers and four enlisted personnel; 16 from the 79IB with five officers and 11 enlisted personnel; and 15 from the 94IB with four officers and 11 enlisted personnel, an Army press release said.
Nine from the 15IB with three officers and six enlisted personnel were also awarded.
The awards were in recognition of the gallantry of the troops during the successful combat operations in Negros Island against the Communist Party of the Philippines.
In the fourth quarter, 11 engagements were recorded in Western and Central Visayas, including the recent clash between the 94IB and the NPA in Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, on November 8, and the encounter between 15IB and the Southwest Front (SWF) of the Komiteng Rehiyon – Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor (KR-NCBS) at Sitio Cambaga, Barangay Yao-Yao, Cauayan, Negros Occidental, on November 7, the press release said.
During this period, the Division neutralized 13 NPA terrorists with four killed in encounters, 67 surrendered and 21 high-powered and two low-powered firearms were seized, it added.*