By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Philippine Army 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, Brigadier General Benedict Arevalo, awarded medals to soldiers of 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) and 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) involved in the two successful encounters against the New People’s Army (NPA) earlier this month.

A total of 40 servicemen received Military Commendation Medals for “exemplary performance of duty in combat operations.”

Medals were pinned during ceremonies held at 62IB headquarters in Barangay Libas, Isabela; and 79IB headquarters in Barangay Bato, Sagay City.

Both clashes took place last week with elements of the 62IB engaging the NPA at Sitio Kampong-oy in Barangay Cabcaban, Bindoy, Negros Oriental last April 14; while 79IB soldiers encountered NPA insurgents at Sitio Banwa Minatay in Barangay Marcelo, Calatrava, Negros Occidental on April 17.

“As a commander, it is my duty to keep my men well-motivated and to see to it that their hard-work, sacrifices, and bravery [on] the battlefield [are] recognized,” Arevalo said.

Local military troops have already figured in a total of eight encounters against the NPA since February./DGB, WDJ