Catapang honors wounded soldiers, brings karaoke set to troops in Zamboanga

Armed Forces chief General Gregorio Catapang Jr. awards wounded soldiers from Friday’s clashes in Sulu vs Abu Sayyaf. The battle casualties are confined at Camp Navarro General Hospital. FRANCES MANGOSING

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Armed Forces chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. on Tuesday handed out combat medals to 28 soldiers who were wounded in battle against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu last Nov. 14.

He visited the soldiers confined at Camp Navarro General Hospital here and checked the needs of the battle casualties.

“Napag-usapan ang mga pangangailangan nila. Ito [hospital] papa-aircon. Nagdala ako ng karaoke para di sila mainip. Pinaayos din ang tubig. Ganun dapat pagtrato sa mga sundalo,” Catapang said in a short speech after awarding the soldiers.

Five soldiers were killed and 28 others were wounded last week in Talipao, Sulu when the military clashed with members of the Abu Sayyaf.  The firefight was the biggest yet since the military launched an all-out law enforcement operations in Sulu after the Abu Sayyaf released its German hostages for a reported P250 million ransom.
Recipients of the Gold Cross Medals, the third highest combat award, include: 1) First Lieutenant Michael B. Asistores; 2) Sergeant Eddie P. Lumandap; and 3) Private First Class Ariel E. Cajes “for Gallantry in Action during the encounter with undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf Group in Talipao, Sulu.”

Awardees of the Wounded Personal  Medal include 1) Staff Sergeant Johnifer J. Tumala; 2) Private First Class Carlito A. Sistoza; 3) Private First Class Richard C. Rendon; 4) Private First Class Reagan J. Apostol; 5) Private First Class Jerimane E. Corpuz; 6) Private First Class Emidio D. Bitin III; 7) Private First Class Alexander S. Nael; 8) Corporal Ray B. Tampil; 9) Private First Class Romarico T. Talledo, Jr.; 10) Private First Class Rogelio A. Domingo; 11) Private First Class Richie H. De Pedro; 12) Private First Class Rogie L. Valdez; 13) Private First Class Belger M. Ramirez; 14) Sergeant Elmer L. Lazaga; 15) Private First Class Eduardo U. Gomez; 16) Private First Class Mark Laurence A. Manggad; 17) Private First Class Orlando B. Ballesteros, Jr.; 18) Corporal Dennis S. Azerador; 19) Private First Class Jerico T. Diza; 20) Private First Class Jeffry B. Baquial; 21) Sergeant Delio B. Surio; 22) Corporal Jevsie H. Galulu; 23) Private First Class Lloyd F. Saranglao 24) Sergeant Castro P. Kitong and 25) Corporal Joey DC De Guzman.

“Nagpunta ako kasi kung pumupunta ako sa Caballo para tignan ang mga sundalo; it’s just but proper that we visit other heroes,” Catapang said.

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