18 Marawi liberation heroes honored with presidential medals

A total of 18 heroes who helped liberate Marawi City from terrorist influence were recognized with medals from President Rodrigo Duterte during a Monday ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo's Lapu-Lapu Grandstand.

In a statement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said the Order of Lapu-Lapu Rank of Kamagi was awarded to Brigadier General Fabian Pedregosa and Colonel Randy Pascua for their “exemplary service rendered in significantly advancing the advocacy of the President.”

Meanwhile, the Distinguished Conduct Star for their acts of conspicuous courage and gallantry in action were granted to Colonel Jose Jesus Luntok, Captain Arnel Lozada, 2nd Lieutenant George Francisco, and Staff Sergeant Roland Saludes.

Major General Generoso Ponio, Brigadier General Romeo Brawner Jr., Colonel Pompeyo Jason Almagro, Colonel Antonio Rota Jr., Lieutenant Colonel Jason Jumawan, Major Christopher Manimtim, Lieutenant Commander Noah Torres, Captain Jennylyn Tamacay, and Corporal Eric Collado were also awarded the Chief of Staff AFP Commendation Medal and Ribbon (Interim).

The said award was given in recognition of the awardees’ “extraordinary acts of service and exceptional contributions to the country through various military operations for almost five months against Maute-ISIS terrorists that resulted in the liberation of Marawi City.”

Moreover, the Chief of Staff AFP Commendation Medal and Ribbon (Interim) was granted to the 55th Engineer “Mangumpiya” Brigade for their “meritorious and valuable achievements in the pursuit of providing Engineer Support Operation in Marawi that led to various socio-economic achievements.”

For being wounded in action as members of the Special Forces Operations Course Class 135-16 against a number of ISIS-inspired Maute terrorists, Army Corporals Edison Caturan and Johnson Federizon were also recognized with the Wounded Personnel Medal.

Further, Dr. Isabel Cojuangco-Suntay, who initiated, contributed, and defended the interests of the state against the terrorist group during the Marawi crisis, was the lone civilian and awardee of the Order of Lapu-Lapu Rank of Magalong.

AFP Chief of Staff General Gilbert Gapay represented Duterte and bestowed the medals to the awardees.

Also present in the ceremony were Lieutenant General Allen Paredes, CGPAF, Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, FOIC-PN, and Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, CGPA. They were joined by Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista.

The nation marked over the weekend the third anniversary of the liberation of Marawi from terrorist influence.

Combat between government troops and the ISIS-inspired Maute rebels in Marawi City lasted five months, with over 1,000 people killed, mostly terror fighters, and thousands of residents displaced. — DVM, GMA News