SEIZED RIFLES. Soldiers stand in formation in front of rifles and war materiel seized from New People's Army rebels in this undated photo. The Visayas Command on Monday (June 19, 2023) said it commended 31 soldiers from the Joint Task Force "Storm" assigned in Eastern Visayas region for their peace efforts that led to the reduction of manpower and armed capabilities of the NPA. (Photo courtesy of Viscom PIO)
CEBU CITY – The Visayas Command (Viscom) on Monday said 31 soldiers from the Joint Task Force “Storm” received medals for their contribution to the peace efforts in the Eastern Visayas region.
Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, Viscom chief, said the 16 officers and 15 enlisted personnel were recognized for their exemplary performance that contributed to the decline of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army's (CPP-NPA) manpower and armed capabilities.
Of the 31 awardees, 14 were pinned with the Gold Cross Medal in recognition of their gallantry in action during armed encounters with the NPA rebels.
Fifteen were awarded a Silver Cross Medal for their “eminently meritorious and valuable achievements in internal security operations” and two were awarded a Military Meritorious Medal for their invaluable services rendered to the AFP.
“We appreciate what you are doing, especially the sacrifices that you have made. I am a firm believer that a person who is well-appreciated will do more and will perform far better than what is expected,” Arevalo said in a statement.
He cited the localized peace engagement facilitated by personnel of the Philippine Army’s 46th Infantry Battalion on June 10, which resulted in the surrender of two NPA rebels who turned over several war materiel, including an M14 rifle, an M16 rifle, six assorted magazine assemblies and several assorted live ammunition.
Arevalo urged the soldiers to give their best to finally put an end to the decades-old insurgency in order to free the people in the Visayas from the menace of the CPP-NPA.
“Let’s serve justice to the terrorist group fiercely for the atrocities that they have committed against our people. Let us all be the living embodiment of our mantra, your reliable Armed Forces in the Visayas,” he added. (PNA)
