Negros Occ. LGU honors slain soldiers, survivors
BACOLOD CITY — Soldiers of the 31st Division Reconnaissance Company (DRC) of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division fought three terrorist groups within a year: The New People’s Army in Negros, the Abu Sayyaf bandits in Bohol and recently the ISIS-inspired Maute terror group in Marawi City.
Led by 1st Lieutenant Paul Gobway, a recipient of a Gold Cross Medal in his exploits in Bohol, the newly-arrived 31st DRC troopers from Marawi were accorded yesterday with a heroes’ welcome ceremony by the Negros Occidental provincial government, led Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Major General Jon Aying, commander of the 3rd ID.
The 31st DRC soldiers survived the five-month long battle with the Maute terrorists without any casualty or injuries. The six Negrense soldiers killed in Marawi City, who were assigned with other Philippine Army infantry units, were also honored by the Negros Occidental LGU, and members of their respective families also given financial assistance.
Military records showed that the 31st DRC, led by Gobway was among the 3rd ID infantry units responsible for the neutralization in Bohol of Abu Sayyaf bandits, who were all killed, while trying to expand their operations in that province in April this year.
Aying recalled that Gobway also figured in a hand-to-hand combat with Abu Sayyaff bandit leader in Bohol, which earned him the Gold Cross Medal. Gobway reported that they were able to rescue four civilians trapped in the main battle area for a month, recovered 11 high-powered firearms and two rifle grenades.
Comparing his experiences in battles with Abu Sayyaff and Maute terrorist groups, Gobway said the plans of ASG in Bohol did not materialize because the people immediately reported their presence to authorities, while the populace in Marawi did not dare to report the Maute presence to government forces.
On the other hand, Marañon said Negrenses are very thankful for the sacrifices of the 31st DRC soldiers who were deployed to Marawi. “Your splendid effort will go down in history as one the urban siege, which will not only put in records in the history of the Philippines, but also in other military journals,” Marañon said in his speech.
Aying said that, after the battle against the ASGs in Bohol and the Mautes in Marawi, the 31st DRC troops will be assigned in Negros to resume the fight against another terrorist group, the New People’s Army rebels. “With their experience in Marawi, I can say that they (31st DRC) are soldiers who can fight anywhere,” he added.