For preventing NPA violence: Wounded soldiers in clash get medals

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Eleven soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division, who were wounded in separate armed encounters with the New People’s Army in Negros and Panay, were each conferred with a medal in recognition of their gallantry.

Eight of the wounded soldiers — members of the 62nd Infantry Battalion — awarded with wounded personnel medals were Sergeant Niño Nabaunag, Privates First Class Michael Bersana, Voltair Catamin, Angelito Banga, and Kenneth Cerbo, and Privates Ryan Las Piñas, Joven Taghap, and John Daryle Delgado.

They were cited for their efforts in preventing the New People’s Army rebels of their terroristic activities at Barangay Tan-awan in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, two days before the May 14 elections.

The hour-long gunbattle between 62nd IB soldiers and about 60 rebels, who also used improvised explosive devices (IEDs) against the soldiers, claimed the lives of two troopers and causing injuries to eight others.

A platoon-sized unit of the 62nd IB was conducting clearing and combat operations, during the election period, when the armed engagement took place on May 12, said Captain Ruel Llanes, 303rd Infantry Brigade spokesman.

The encounter triggered evacuation of 236 individuals, who later returned to their respective homes after casting their votes at Barangay Tan-awan in Kabankalan City, during election day.

Superintendent Rhea Santos, Kabankalan City Police chief, said that while the voting went smoothly, the canvassing of votes in Tan-awan was transferred to the Poblacion of the city for security reasons.

The three other wounded soldiers were also conferred with medals, were Sergeant Paolo Ogaro, and PFCs Hans Christian de la Cruz and John Anthony Barrientos for their gallantry during an encounter with NPA rebels on May 5 in Calinog, Iloilo.

They were injured when hit by shrapnels of an EID set by NPA rebels, added Captain Eduardo Precioso,3rd ID spokesman.  (FREEMAN)