10 soldiers awarded for fighting Abu Sayyaf

JOLO, Sulu — The Department of National Defense on Tuesday recognized and gave medals to 10 soldiers amid the continuing offensive against Abu Sayyaf terrorists in Sulu.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana led the handing out of awards which included the Gold Cross, Silver Cross and Military Merit Medals.

Two Army officers were awarded with the Gold Cross Medal, the third highest award for combat, for their fight against the Abu Sayyaf in Panamao, Sulu, on Jan. 31.

In that encounter with the group of sub leader Alhabsy Misaya, 12 Abu Sayyaf members were killed and 5 were wounded. It also led to the seizure of the terrorists’ firearms and belongings.

For their accomplishment in that battle, Lt. Col. Ramon Flores, commanding officer of the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion, and First Lieutenant Mark Alvin Bawagan, commanding officer of the Charlie Company, were given the Gold Cross.

First Lieutenant Jovy Perater, intelligence officer of the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion, was also awarded with Silver Cross Medal for his role in leading the “surveillance and stakeout operations behind the enemy hostile territory in some areas of Panamao and Luuk” that led to the Jan. 31 encounter.

Two Marine officers who led the team that recovered the remains of Canadian John Ridsdel last April were also given Silver Cross Medals.

Col. Noel Beleran and Capt. Eric Quinanola were recognized for being able to enter the Abu Sayyaf lair “amid the heavy threat of the Abu Sayyaf and the IEDs along the way” and having “successfully retrieved” the headless body of Ridsdel in Barangay Gata in Talipao, Sulu, last April 27.

They also received Military Merit Medals for their focused military operations against the Abu Sayyaf.

Military officers and enlisted personnel who were also given the Military Merit Medals were Col. Antonio Rosario, Major Mark Anthony Arabe, Second Lieutenant Noah Umopig, Sgt. Garry Prande, and Sgt. Elmer Ballesteros, all from various units from the Philippine Marines in Sulu.

Lorenzana congratulated the soldiers and urged them to sustain their operations to beat the six-month deadline to finish the Abu Sayyaf.

“Now we realize how we difficult it is to operate here in Jolo because you’re fighting experienced and very determined enemies for generations now… Congratulations, job well done. We are closely monitoring your day-to-day activities here thanks to technology,” he said.

Lorenzana and top military officials were in Jolo to discuss with local officials to assess the Abu Sayyaf situation in Sulu. CBB