Duterte honors wounded soldiers with Order of Lapu-Lapu

AMBOANGA CITY – President Rodrigo Roa Duterte accorded 12 wounded soldiers of Join Task Force Sulu (JTF Sulu) with the Order of Lapu-lapu level of Kampilan medal in his visit to this city, and Jolo, Sulu, Thursday and Friday, respectively.

Armed Forces of the PhilippinesWestern Mindanao Command (AFPWesMinCom) Spokesman Army Lt. Col. Gerry M. Besana said the soldiers were recognized by the President after sustaining battle wounds in armed engagements during the intensified conduct of military operations launched by the JTF Sulu to neutralize the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

Besana identified those feted by the President as Pfc. Richard Aquino and Staff Sgt. Krismar Natividad of the 45th Infantry Battalion; Private Eugene Gonzales, Corporal Jollybert Bartolome, Sgt. Yahcob Sarian of the 32nd Infantry Battalion.

The President personally awarded them their medals at the Camp Navarro General Hospital in this city last Thursday.

In his next stop in Julu, Friday, Sulu, Duterte recognized the exploits of Corporal Bernardo Ortiz, Private Brix Cojo, and Pfc. John Jusay, all from the 32nd Infantry Battalion; Pfc. Reynard Baynos from the MBLT-3; Corporals Dixon Aplahal, Binjakar Ajak and Larkin Lumacad at the Camp Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital.

The awardees also received a pistol, a cellular phone and cash from Duterte, Besana said.

"With the overwhelming support of our Commander-in-Chief, we become more motivated to do our job with utmost enthusiasm,” said Lt. Gen. Arnel B. Dela Vega, Commander of AFP- WestMinCom based in this city.

President Duterte was accompanied by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana; General Carlito G. Galvez Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; Lieutenant General Arnel B. Dela Vega, Commander, Western Mindanao Command; Department of the Interior and Local Government Officer-in-Charge General Eduardo Año; Major General Roseller G. Murillo, Commander of the 1st Infantry Division; and other officers.