CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City - For gallantry in action against the communist terrorist group (CTG), four Army troopers were awarded by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, Tuesday in Samar.
General Andres C Centino, AFP Chief of Staff conferred the Gold Cross Medals to 1st Lieutenant Adonis Collado, Sergeant Vincent Bulan, and Corporal Ernesto Nuñez in a ceremony held at the 8th Infantry Division headquarters in Catbalogan, Samar.
The awardees are personnel of the Army's 20th Infantry Battalion who fought against 10 CTGs in Northern Samar on March 25, which resulted in the death of one communist terrorist.
The AFP Chief of Staff also conferred the Streamer Award for Visayas to the 87th Infantry "Hinirang" Battalion and 20th Infantry "We Lead" Battalion.
The units were recognized for their exemplary performance and dedication to duty in conducting focused military operations in pursuit of peace and development in the province of Samar.
Present at the event were Major General Edgardo De Leon, 8ID Commander; Area Police Command Visayas Commander, Police Lieutenant General Bernabe Balba; and Eastern Visayas Police Director, Police Brigadier General Bernardo Banac.
Six members of the Philippine National Police who also operated against CTGs in the area were awarded with PNP Heroism Medal.
General Centino commended the PNP awardees and expressed his appreciation on behalf of the AFP leadership.
"With the support of the higher headquarters and the national government, we shall finish the task of ending armed insurgency together. By putting a stop to the violent ways of the communist terrorists, we are complying with our next urgent task of ensuring safe and secure elections, as instructed by the President," Gen. Centino said./// (Photo by TSg Randul Obinque PAF/PAOAFP)
