THE Armed Forces of the Philippines through the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) has awarded medal to four soldiers for the successful operation that led to the death of the Dawlah Islamiya leader in Lanao del Sur.

Colonel Gerry Besana, Wesmincom information officer, said a Gold Cross Medal was awarded to Second Lieutenant Jophet Orbeta and Military Merit Medal to Sergeant Jayar Penetrante, Sergeant Arcee Formanes, and Private Romy Villamor, of the Army’s 49th Infantry Battalion.

Besana said they were awarded for the successful conduct of the focused military operation on March 14, this year, in Tubaran, Lanao del Sur, that resulted in the death of four terrorists, including Owaydah Marohomsar alias “Abu Dar,” the leader of the Isis-inspired Dawlah Islamiya formerly known as the Maute group.

“Abu Dar” is regarded as the successor of Isnilon Hapilon, the alleged emir of Isis in Southeast Asia who was also killed in Marawi along with the Maute brothers -- Omarkayam and Abdullah.

Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega, Wesmincom chief, led the awarding ceremony held Wednesday at the headquarters of the Joint Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao provinces) in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.

Besana said Dela Vega congratulated the members of Team Tabak and Joint Task Force Zampelan for their dedication and professionalism “in the conduct of our focused military operations.”

“Let this (recognition) be an added, not a primary, motivation in our efforts to quell terrorism in the area of operations. We should remain focused on the task at hand and, for sure, we will never go wrong in as far as each and every responsibility of the personnel of JTF (Joint Task Force) Zampelan is concerned,” Besana said quoting Dela Vega. (SunStar Philippines)