Duterte honors wounded soldiers of Basilan bombing

President Rodrigo Duterte honored on Saturday six government troopers who were injured during the bombing incident in Lamitan City, Basilan last July 31.

Duterte visited the soldiers and other wounded civilians at Camp Navarro General Hospital in Zamboanga City.

LOOK: President Duterte on Saturday went to the Camp Navarro General Hospital in Zamboanga City to visit the government troopers and civilians who were wounded during the car bomb attack in Lamitan City, Basilan on July 31. ????: Malacañang @gmanews pic.twitter.com/RCzmKGgPCe

— Virgil Lopez (@virgillopez) August 5, 2018

The Chief Executive conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu on six Scout Rangers.

He also gave the award to three Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) members who were injured in the van explosion.

The Order of Lapu-Lapu rank is awarded to officials, government personnel, and private individuals who are seriously wounded or suffered a great loss of property as a direct result of their participation in an activity pursuant to a campaign or advocacy of the President.

Duterte also handed them some financial assistance, watches, and cellphones.

He also provided monetary aid to the grieving families of the individuals who died in the incident.

The explosion incident at a military checkpoint left 10 people dead and several others wounded.

Authorities are verifying information that the driver of the van loaded with explosives was a foreigner.

They have arrested a 58-year-old cleric who was supposedly involved in the deadly explosion.

According to military informants, the suspect had been helping foreign operatives reach Basilan from Malaysia. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KG, GMA News