President Duterte has posthumously conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu, Rank of Kalasag on the six Army soldiers who were killed in an encounter with the New People’s Army (NPA) in Eastern Samar early this week.
Duterte went to Camp General Vicente Lukban in Catbalogan City, Samar Friday evening to honor the soldiers who perished in a clash with communist insurgents in Borongan, Eastern Samar.
The recipients of the award were SSgt. Rex Jadulco, Sgt. Ronaldo Go, Sgt. Limar Banug, Cpl. Junmar Buranday, Cpl. Kent Lloyd Agullo, and Pfc. Charlie del Rosario.
Aside from those killed, 24 other soldiers were wounded during the encounter. Sixteen personnel, confined at the Camp Lukban Station Hospital, were conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu, Rank of Kampilan by the President.
Meanwhile, four other soldiers, injured during separate clashes with the rebels, were also conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu by President Duterte.
Critically injured soldiers and police personnel in the Borongan City encounter were also conferred the Order of
Lapu-Lapu, Rank of Kampilan by President Duterte. They are recuperating at the Divine Word Hospital in Tacloban City.
The Order of Lapu-Lapu is given to persons in the government or private sector who have rendered extraordinary service or have made exceptional contributions to the success of the President’s campaign or advocacy.
The Kampilan Medal is conferred on persons who were seriously wounded or suffered great loss of property as a direct result of their participation in such action.
The Kalasag Medal, on the other hand, is given to officials and personnel of the government and private individuals who lost their lives as a direct result of their participation in an activity pursuant to a campaign or advocacy of the President.
The dependents of the soldiers killed in action received financial assistance from the government while other support were extended through the state’s Comprehensive Social Benefit Program. The injured Army and police personnel were also given financial support.
Based on reports, the government troops engaged in a 30-minute gun battle with the rebels after the latter’s group detonated landmines.
A communist terrorist was also killed during the armed encounter. (Argyll Cyrus Geducos)
