Over a dozen soldiers were awarded with prestigious medals by President Duterte for their gallantry in action during a visit to Sulu Tuesday.
The President conferred on the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the Rank of Kampilan on 11 soldiers when he visited them in a military hospital in Jolo. The soldiers were among those injured in a clash with the Abu Sayyaf Group last month.
Seven other soldiers were also given the Gold Cross Medal for their bravery in other military operations.
The President made the private visit to Jolo to pay tribute to the soldiers defending the country’s security.
“Sa panahon na kailangan ninyo ang inyong commander-in-chief to be with you, beside you, and to die with you, nandito ako sa mga panahon na ‘yan,” the President told the troops.
The recipients of the Order of Lapu-Lapu are Corporals Arsenio Opaco Jr. and Sonny Jumoc, Privates First Class Edwin Yurong, Edeson Alom, Abduhasad Baladji, and Joevertt Ramirez, and Privates Dominic Osorio, Jeric Peñaredondo, Raymund Balambao, Ramil Diaz Jr., and Albert Daligdig, Malacanang said.
Two other soldiers injured in the ASG encounter, Privates Haliboy Calapiz and Dieth Sarabe, were airlifted to Camp Navarro General Hospital in Zamboanga City.
The Order of Lapu-Lapu, created through an Executive Order in April 2017, is awarded to officials, government personnel, and private citizens in recognition of invaluable or extraordinary service in relation to a campaign or advocacy of the President.
The Kampilan is one of the four medals under the Order of Lapu-Lapu. It is conferred on persons who were seriously wounded or suffered great loss of property as a direct result of their participation to such action.
The President met officers and personnel of Joint Task Force-Sulu at the military camp in Jolo also on Tuesday. (Genalyn Kabiling)
