By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – Four units of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID) were conferred with Streamer Awards of the Commanding General of the Philippine Army (CGPA), following their accomplishment on their combat operations against the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros island.
Lieutenant General Romeo Brawner Jr., CGPA led the awarding rites at the 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) headquarters in Camp Major Nelson Gerona, Barangay Minoyan, Murcia, Negros Occidental last Thursday.
The 303rd IBde under the leadership of Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte received a CGPA Major Engagement Streamer and four CGPA Significant Accomplishment Streamers for various combat accomplishments in Negros Island, including the recent series of encounters in Himamaylan City, Negros Occident that resulted in the death of alleged NPA top leader and spokesperson Romeo Nanta alias “Juanito Magbanua.”
The 62nd Infantry Battalion and 33rd Division Reconnaissance Company were also recipients of the CGPA Major Accomplishment Streamer Award.
Brawner awarded the streamer to the 303rd IBde, 62nd IB, and 33rd DRC for their major engagement in Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, on March 23, 2021; Barangay Brgy Kapitan Ramon, Silay City, Negros Occidental on Aug. 20, 2021; Barangay San Pablo, Manapla, Negros Occidental on Sept. 30, 2021; Barangay Suay, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on March 18, 2022; and Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City on Oct. 10, 2022, that resulted in the death of eight NPA rebels, and recovery of 10 high-powered firearms.
The Army Chief likewise conferred three CGPA Significant Accomplishment Streamer Awards to the 79th IB and two similar awards to the 94th IB.
Brawner said he is very happy that the 3ID is the top scorer in the entire country and the 303rd IBde is the top scorer in the entire 3ID.
“Your unit truly deserves these streamers,” he added.
In the last few years, Brawner said that they have had a lot of guerilla fronts dismantled. Thus, he said they shall continue so that by the end of the year, they will reach their goals and their enemy will be insignificant in society.
We at the Philippine Army Headquarters are very grateful for all of your good job and sacrifices, he said.
Major General Benedict Arevalo, 3ID commander, was deeply honored by the recognition given to the 3ID’s line units.
“All of your hard work in pursuit of peace in Negros paid off. The awards you have received brought great pride to the 3ID and the Philippine Army,” Arevalo said.
May these awards inspire and motivate you and other Army units to always give your best in every undertaking, especially in performing your mandate of serving and securing the people of Negros and the whole country, Arevalo added.
Pasaporte in his message, said, that they will remain focused on sustaining the momentum in capacitating the 303rd IBde towards greater mission effectiveness.
“We will live up to our brand – of Honor, Patriotism, and Duty. We will remain steadfast and resolute in our mandate of serving the people and securing the land,” Pasaporte said.
