Commander of the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade, Brig. General Benedict Arevalo, pins a Military Commendation Medal on one of the 24 soldiers of the 62nd Infantry Battalion in Isabela, Negros Occidental. (PNA photo)
Military Commendation Medals were awarded to 24 soldiers of the Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) in Isabela, Negros Occidental in recognition of their exemplary performance of duties in combat operations.
The troops were praised for their exemplary performance in the campaign against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic in Central Negros.
Brig. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade, who awarded the medals, said the 62nd IB promised to give the AFP more and “they delivered.”
“I will not stop recognizing the bravery of my men in the battlefield because a person who is appreciated will do more than what is expected,” he further emphasized in a ceremony held at the 62IB headquarters in Barangay Libas.
The medal recipients clashed with NPA rebels on July 13 at the boundary of Carol-an in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental and upper Carol-an in Ayungon town, Negros Oriental.
The troops killed rebel fighter Joseph Pacheco, or “Ka Emjay”, and the confiscation of several high-powered firearms, ammunition and explosives.
38 soldiers of the 62nd IB also received the same award in June after successfully battling communist rebels in Sitio Dawhan, Barangay Buenavista in Himamaylan City. (Jojo Mangahis)