Governor receives award from 78th IB

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia received a plaque of appreciation from the Army’s 78th Infantry Battalion during its 21st anniversary celebration yesterday held at its headquarters in Balamban town.

The award was given to the governor for her all-out support to the military’s campaign against insurgencies in the province. Lt. Col. Raymund Bañares Jr., commander of 78th IB, handed out the plaque to Garcia.

“For today, we are gathered here and I speak from the bottom of my heart with joy and pride seeing the accomplishments that the PNP and the military have achieved and seeing so how far the 78th IB has become,” Garcia said in her speech.

She thanked the joint efforts of the military and the police for the arrest of suspected New People’s Army leader Ramon Patriarca.

Although Patriarca’s arrest spawned “a howl of protests,” Garcia said “these (protests) are empty voices because as I’ve said we know whose side we are on and we are on the side of peace and order, of growth, progress and development. We are on the side of what is right.”

The governor also asked the 78th IB to allow the provincial government to improve its existing facilities.

“For there can be no spared expense when it comes to the courageous men and women of the 78th IB,” Garcia said.

Police officials who attended the celebration were Sr. Supt. Carmelo Valmoria, director of Cebu Provincial Police Office, and Sr. Supt. Vicente Loot, chief of staff of Police Regional Office-7. Both were awarded with certificates of appreciation.

Town mayors who attended the event were also given with certificates of appreciation along with other local government officials.

At least five military officials - 1st Lts. Alberto Ramirez and Roy Dalumpines, Staff Sgt. Eliuterio Besada, Jr., Sgt. Reynor Ruiz, and Cpl Freddie Prado, all from the 3rd Infantry Division - were awarded medals of merit.

A certificate of recognition was also awarded to SSgt Fidel Delara who was chosen best enlisted personnel of the division in 2008. – Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/LPM (THE FREEMAN)