Soldier slain in Sulu suicide bombing gets posthumous award from Duterte

From Philippine Army

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has conferred one of the highest military honors posthumously to a soldier slain at a suicide bombing on a military camp in Sulu province.

In a statement, Malacanang said Duterte has conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the Rank of Kalasag to Cpl. Richard Macabadbad when the President paid a visit at the soldier’s wake at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Cemetery for Heroes) in Fort Bonifacio.

Duterte arrived around 11:20 a.m. on Sunday (June 30) and stayed for about an hour before visiting the wakes of the other casualties of the attack owned up by the international terror network Islamic State.

Macababad, 33, was among three soldiers who died following the suicide bombing at the headquarters of the 1st Battalion Combat Team.

READ: IS claims Sulu suicide bombing; 8 dead

The Kalasag Medal is awarded to those who “lost their lives” in carrying out duties for the President’s campaigns or advocacies.

Salvador Panelo, presidential spokesperson and chief legal counsel, called for tighter security in and around military camps following the terror attack, which came as the military started to pour in more men and munitions in Sulu in a campaign to eradicate the homegrown terror group Abu Sayyaf.

(Editor: Tony Bergonia)