GINAWARAN ni Lt. Gen. William Gonzales, commander ng Western Mindanao Command, ng medalya ng kagitingan ang mga sundalong nakapatay sa siyam na kasapi ng Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group (DI-MG) na kanilang nakasagupa sa loob ng dalawang araw.

Isinagawa ni Lt. Gen. Gonzales nasabing paggawad ng parangal sa mga tauhan ng 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion nang bisitahin niya ang 103rd Infantry Brigade na nasa ilalim ng Ist Infantry “Tabak” Division na pinamumunuan ni Maj. Gen. Gabriel Viray.

Ang Military Merit Medal interim to Distinguished Conduct Star ay ipinagkaloob kina First Lieutenant Allan Kenny Manuel at Private First Class Mark John Culaway sa ipinakitang tapang at kabayanihan sa laban, bilang mga platoon leader, ground commanders at pinangunahan ang assaulting team sa serye ng engkwentro laban sa mahigit 15 DI-MG members na nasa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Arsani Membisa, a.k.a. Khatab/Lapitos, sa Barangay Taporog, Piagapo, Lanao del Sur.

Kapareho ring medalya ang ibinigay kay Second Lieutenant Feljoy Ending. Habang Military Merit Medal interim to Gold Cross Medal naman ang ibinigay sa 11 pang kasapi ng Army Scout ranger na kasama sa military operation.

“The unwavering courage and uncommon self-sacrifice of First Lieutenant Allan Kenny Manuel and his team were instrumental in the neutralization of nine DI-MG members identified as Saumay Saiden, a.k.a. Ustadz Omar/Abu Omar/Saumay; Salman, a.k.a. Mikdad/Miqdad; Abdul Hadi, a.k.a. Hodi Imam/Abday’N; Lacson Timbang, a.k.a. Abdullah; King Fahad Dalig Untie, a.k.a. Muhajeer/Abu Khalid; Asnawi Mael, a.k.a. Hamza/Asnawi; a.k.a. Mauwiyah; and a.k.a. Mohaimen,” ani MGen. Viray.

Bukod sa mga napaslang ay na-recover din ng military sa encounter site ang walong high-powered firearms, isang bandolier, apat na Baofeng radios, at isang smartphone.

Sa isang pagamutan naman sa Iligan City iginawad ni Lt. Gen. Gonzales ang mga medalya ng kagitingan para sa mga sugatang sundalo.

“My salute goes to our valiant soldiers who dedicate their lives to serve and protect the people amid all adversaries,” ani Lt. Gen. Gonzales.

(JESSE KABEL RUIZ)