Ten soldiers wounded in an encounter with the Abu Sayyaf last Saturday in Sulu were recognized on Sunday by Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command commander Lt. Gen. Arnel B. dela Vega.
Awarded with the Wounded Personnel Medal at the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Station Hospital in Jolo, Sulu where they are being treated were Sergeant Gari Lacheca, Corporal Leonel Echalar, Corporal Glen Diaz, Corporal Arnel Solomon, and Corporal Glenn B. Rosales, all of the 14th Scout Ranger Co.; and Sergeant John Rex, Corporal Julyto Cimeni, Corporal Paul Azur, Corporal Resnev Villanueva, and Private Peter John Salvador of the 13th Scout Ranger Co.
From Jolo, Sulu, Dela Vega travelled to the Ciudad Medical Zamboanga in Zamboanga City to visit and award to more soldiers wounded in the encounter.
“Pinupuri ko ang katapangan ng ating mga sundalo at ako ay personal na nananalangin para sa kanilang agarang paggaling,” Dela Vega said.
“Sa mga naulila ng ating mga kasamang hindi pinalad na makaligtas, asahan ninyo ang aming tulong at suporta bilang pagpupunyagi sa kanilang kabayanihan,” he added.
Meanwhile, troops from the Philippine Army continue to scour Sulu as part of efforts to neutralize those responsible for the bloody bombing in Jolo last Jan. 27 that killed 22 persons and wounded 101 others.
The Abu Sayyaf Group said to be responsible for the twin blasts is under the command of Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan.
Despite the situation being volatile, the Philippine Army through the 11th Infantry Division is determined to continue its effort in crushing the terrorists and push them to their limit until they are totally neutralized. (Francis T. Wakefield)
