By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID) awarded 174 soldiers and members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Active Auxiliary (CAA) for their competence and dedication to duty, leading to several significant accomplishments in Negros island.
Major General Benedict Arevalo, 3ID commander, pinned the Military Merit Medal (MMM) to 159 personnel of the 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) and 94th IB during his visit to the respective battalion headquarters last Saturday.
Fifteen CAAs were also feted.
The 62nd IB personnel were recognized for their outstanding performance to accomplish their assigned tasks and responsibility contributing to the successful conduct of combat operations in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental last month.
The 62nd IB engaged in two encounters in Guihulngan City that resulted in the death of two members of Central Negros (CN) 1, Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor (KR-NCBS) of the New People’s Army (NPA) and seizure of war materiel in Barangay Calupaan on Oct. 22, and Barangay Planas on Oct. 29.
The awarding ceremony was held to recognize the heroic achievement of the military troopers as well as the time-honored responsibility of securing the communities they served.
Arevalo lauded the troops for their selfless service, dedication, and bravery.
He also acknowledged the vital role and hard work of the 94th IB in the conduct of combat operations in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental last month.
The 94th IB engaged in a series of clashes against the NPA in Barangay Carabalan from Oct. 6 to 12, killing NPA high-ranking leader Romeo Nanta alias “Juanito Magbanua.” It likewise resulted in the recovery of firearms and other war materiels in the village on Oct. 19.
The 94th IB also facilitated the surrender of an NPA member who was involved in a series of encounters in Barangay Carabalan.
Arevalo commended the troops for their courage and bravery in protecting and securing the people of Himamaylan against the CPP-NPA.
“Without regard to their safety, our troopers’ heroic actions secured the lives of the people in Himamaylan. I am proud of the selflessness, courage, and honor that our troopers displayed,” Arevalo said, during his visit at the 94th IB headquarters in Ayungon, Negros Oriental.
