FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Palayan City -- Maj. Gen. Felimon T. Santos, commander of the Philippine Army's 7th Infantry Division (7ID, PA) led the hero's welcome for 79 -strong 72nd Division Reconnaissance Company (DRC) who served as rear defenders during the Marawi battle in ceremonies here Friday night.
“In going there, their task is to defend the rear. Ibig sabihin, pinu-protektahan nila ang likod upang hindi ma-reinforce ang kalaban (it means, they have been protecting the rear so that the enemies cannot reinforce) which is very important,” Santos said, “especially in our military tactics.”
“They’ve played their role, they’ve played it well,” Santos stressed.
He said the company also conducted checkpoints to prevent Maute from moving from one place to another and cleared houses.
The company has even recovered 12 high powered-firearms, improvised explosive device, 16 radio communication equipment and based radio, one binocular, among others, during a clearing operation, he said.
Santos hailed that the troops, led by 1Lt. Beethoven Cabanlit, commanding officer, came home safe.
"Nandito sila nang buong-buo. walang kulang at wala ring sobra (They are here intact. No less, no more," the commanding general said.
Still, he expressed regret that the 7ID's Scout Ranger force had suffered a loss with the death of Private First Class Nesty Tecson and 69th Infantry Battalion had two wounded men.
Tecson, he said was killed by the enemy during the final assault.
Cabanlit, for his part, said they really had to fight the feeling of being away from their family and unfamiliarity with urban warfare.
“Natural sa amin yung nangungulilala but with the leadership of my fellow officers sinasabi ko sa kanila na palagi i-motivate yung mga tao natin (it is natural for us to yearn but with the leadership of my fellow officers, I have been telling them to always motivate our men),” he said.
With a green rosary on his right breast, Cabanlit said they had to pray before every operation.
"Itong rosary na ito symbolizes ang paniniwala sa Panginoon na kahit na anong hirap at suungin namin na panganib, pu-protektahan niya kami (This rosary symbolizes our faith in God that no matter how difficult or dangerous the situation is, He will protect us), ” he said.
Private First Class Harold Luis, who served as an automatic rifleman, thanked God for protection as well as his family and the government for support.
Another private first class named Manabat said that despite the tragedy he himself witnessed in Marawi, he would support the dream of his son, who came in fatigue uniform, to be a soldier in the future.
Santos said after debriefing, the soldiers would be given a month-long vacation.
He said while no one from the 72nd DRC was killed, they have witnessed and joined the rescue of wounded comrades. That sight, he said, was not easy for soldiers. (PNA)
