ZAMBOANGA. The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) has awarded medals to five soldiers for gallantry in action against the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (Isis)-inspired Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group (DI-MG) terrorists in Ilalag village, Maguing, Lanao del Sur. A photo handout shows Major General Generoso Ponio, 1st Infantry Division commander (left), pinning a medal to one of the five wounded soldiers Thursday, March 3, at the Forward Support Medical Company of the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade in Camp Ranao, Marawi City. (SunStar Zamboanga)
ZAMBOANGA. The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) has awarded medals to five soldiers for gallantry in action against the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (Isis)-inspired Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group (DI-MG) terrorists in Ilalag village, Maguing, Lanao del Sur. A photo handout shows Major General Generoso Ponio, 1st Infantry Division commander (left), pinning a medal to one of the five wounded soldiers Thursday, March 3, at the Forward Support Medical Company of the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade in Camp Ranao, Marawi City. (SunStar Zamboanga)

Westmincom feats 5 gallant soldiers

THE Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) has awarded medals to five soldiers for gallantry in action against the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (Isis)-inspired Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group (DI-MG) terrorists in Lanao del Sur.

The awarding of Wounded Personnel Medal (WPM) was held when Lieutenant General Alfredo Rosario Jr., Westmincom chief, visited them Thursday, March 3, at the Forward Support Medical Company of the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade in Camp Ranao, Marawi City.

The recipients of the WPM are the following: Private First Class (PFC) Jayson Dayhop; PFC Romeo Aclan Jr.; Private Jayson Jay Pielago; Private Genes Mike Rellon; and Private Ariel Bahala. All of them are from the 55th Infantry Battalion (55IB).

They were wounded during the combat operations against some 60 DI-MG terrorists led by Faharudin Hadji Satar alias Abu Zacariah on Tuesday, March 1, in Ilalag village, Maguing, Lanao del Sur.

They also received cash assistance. Similar assistance was given to the next of kin of Private Rey Clint Armada of the 55IB who died during the combat operation.

Rosario expressed his gratitude to the soldiers for their commitment and gallantry to end terrorism.

He also thanked them for their service and sacrifices.

“Our troops are very motivated to carry on their duties because they know the Westmincom commander supports them. We are overwhelmed by the support of our commander and this will all the more propel us to do our job with utmost fervor,” Major General Generoso Ponio, 1st Infantry Division commander, said.

Brigadier General Jose Maria Cuerpo II, 103rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the camp of Zacariah fell into the hands of government troops following hours of firefight against 60 DI-MG terrorists Tuesday, March 1, that ended at 4 p.m. of the same day.

The troops recovered the remains of eight DI-MG terrorists, including that of the two sub-leaders, and cache of high-powered firearms and munitions as well as improvised bombs.

Cuerpo said Zacariah, the new emir of Isis in Southeast Asia, has joined forces with the DI-Hassan group from Maguindanao and are planning to create havoc during the observance of Ramadan and the upcoming national and local elections. (SunStar Zamboanga)

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