Soldiers get award for aiding SAF commandos

MANILA, Philippines - Although criticized for their late response in coming to the rescue of the trapped Special Action Force (SAF) commandos in the Jan. 25 clash with Muslim rebels, a number of soldiers dispatched to Mamasapano, Maguindanao were awarded with Gold Cross medals yesterday.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang awarded the troops during   his visit to the 6th Infantry Division (6ID) at Camp Siongco in Awang, Maguindanao.

One officer and four enlisted personnel were awarded the Gold Cross medal while another officer and one enlisted personnel were awarded the Bronze Cross for gallantry in action that led to the rescue of members of the 84th Special Action Company (SAC), said Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, 6ID spokesperson.

Catapang also promoted on the spot Sgt. Whilmer Jaranilla of the 62nd Division Reconnaissance Company to staff sergeant for leading a team of soldiers in rescuing and extracting pinned down members of the 84th SAC Seaborne Company already surrounded by combined elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

When fighting broke out between SAF commandos and combined MILF and BIFF forces, the pinned down troops immediately called for Army ground reinforcement as well as artillery fire support.

But the trapped SAF commandos were left on their own as the Army and police leaderships then were discussing their moves to resolve the conflict without compromising the government peace talks with MILF.

When Army help finally came in the evening, the entire 55th SAC had almost been wiped out, except for a lone survivor.

Most of the dead policemen were not only killed brutally but also stripped of their firearms and other personal belongings by the rebels.

The elite 84th SAC, on the other hand, incurred nine members killed in action and 11 wounded before help from the military arrived.

Southeast Asia’s most wanted terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir, alias Marwan, was killed in the operation.