Wounded Personnel Medals were awarded to six government soldiers injured in an encounter with the New People’s Army in Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, on Saturday, Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said Monday, October 10.
He said posthumous recognitions will also be given to the two slain soldiers in the same encounter.
Killed in the encounter were Cpl Christian Drilon of San Enrique, Iloilo, and Cpl Rex Verde of Guimaras.
The six wounded personnel were Cpl Joey Gardose, PFC Rolly Rama, PFC June Fuentes, PFC Lander, Private Wilchor Recaña and Sgt. Edgiel Ucag.
Department of National Defense OIC Jose Faustino Jr. pinned the Wounded Personnel Medals on the injured soldiers in the presence of Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro – Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. – Philippine Army commanding general, Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo – 3rd Infantry Division commander and Pasaporte at the Riverside Medical Center in Bacolod on Sunday.
Faustino lauded the bravery and selfless dedication of the operating troops of 94IB in securing and protecting the community of Himamaylan City against the atrocities and illegal recruitment of minors by the NPA terrorist.
Pasaporte told the injured soldiers: “The medal symbolizes your bravery in facing our enemy and selfless dedication on your oath to protect the people and the country.”
The Army said they recovered ammunition, firearms, gun parts, backpacks, personal belongings, and subversive documents left behind by fleeing rebels.
The Army said they recovered ammunition, firearms, gun parts, backpacks, personal belongings, and subversive documents left behind by the fleeing rebels.*