SOME 27 officers and enlisted personnel of the 15th Infantry Battalion (IB) were conferred with military merit medals for their bravery and heroic acts during a series of encounters with suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) in Negros Occidental.

Major General Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) of the Philippine Army, personally awarded the medals during the 48th Founding Anniversary celebration of the unit held at their headquarters in Barangay Tiling in Cauayan town, Negros Occidental on Monday, November 8.

The army, in a statement, said Second Lieutenant Levin Hayes Legaspi topped all the awardees with three merit medals.

Hayes was among those who conducted operations on April 17, 2021, in Sitio Dash 7, Barangay Bulwangan, Hinoba-an town, where two suspected rebels were killed.

The other encounter was on April 24 in Barangay Pinggot, Ilog town that resulted in the confiscation of communist NPA terrorists' lair and the death of its two members,

“I am proud of what you have achieved in your area of operation (and) the 3ID is lucky to have you as its personnel. You are an asset not only to your unit but also to 3ID. Best soldiers like you are truly the source of the Division’s pride and honor,” Arevalo said.

Earlier, Arevalo also bestowed merit medals to personnel of 79IB, 12IB and 94IB on October 1, 4 and 6, respectively.