By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID) conferred military merit medals to 27 officers and enlisted personnel of the 15th Infantry Battalion (IB) for their bravery and heroic acts during series of encounters with the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros Occidental.
Major General Benedict Arevalo, 3ID commander, pinned the medals to the soldiers during the 15th IB’s Founding Anniversary celebration held at the 15th IB headquarters in Barangay Tiling, Cauayan town early this week.
2nd Lieutenant Levin Hayes Legaspi, platoon leader of 15IB’s Charlie company, emerged as the top awardee after garnering three merit medals.
Legaspi and other awardees earned these medals after their successful military operations against the NPA, particularly on April 17, 2021 in Barangay Bulwangan, Hinobaan town that left two fatalities on the enemy side; and on April 24, 2021, in Sitio Payranan, Barangay Pinggot in Ilog town that resulted in the seizure of the NPA’s lair and death of two rebels.
Arevalo lauded the unit for their accomplishment, saying that they are an asset not only to the unit but also to the 3ID.
“Best soldiers like you are truly the source of the division’s pride and honor,” Arevalo said.
It can be recalled that Arevalo also bestowed merit medals to personnel of 79th IB on Oct 1, the 12th IB on Oct 4, and the 94th IB on Oct 6.
