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PNoy awards soldiers for service during Zamboanga crisis

By KIMBERLY JANE TAN, GMA News

(Updated 10:25 a.m.) President Benigno Aquino III on Monday personally awarded 18 out of the more than 2,400 soldiers who fought during the Zamboanga crisis last September.
 
During a ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo on Monday morning, Aquino led the conferment of awards to 12 officers and six enlisted personnel who served during the 18-day crisis in Zamboanga City.
 
Among them are:
 
  • Lt. Col. Oriel Pangcog (Distinguished Conduct Star)
  • Capt. Reynir Nirza (Distinguished Conduct Star)
  • Lt. Gen. Rey Ardo (Distinguished Service Star)
  • Brig. Gen. Rogelio Santos (Distinguished Service Star)
  • Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala (Distinguished Service Star)
  • 1st Lt. Francis Damian (Gold Cross Medal - posthumous)
  • 1st Lt. Jerson Jurilla (Gold Cross Medal)
  • 1st Lt. Ian Dexter Carin  (Gold Cross Medal)
  • Lt. Jg. Grade Joey Cayao  (Gold Cross Medal)
  • Sgt. Larry Lopez  (Gold Cross Medal)
  • F1Mr. Abelardo Angelo  (Gold Cross Medal)
  • Sgt. Salvador Codon Jr.  (Gold Cross Medal)
  • SSgt. Allan Adap  (Gold Cross Medal)
  • Capt. Eduardo Saquing Sr.  (Gold Cross Medal - posthumous)
  • Maj. Caezar Almer Candelaria (Bronze Cross Medal)
  • Maj. Rene Aureo (Military Merit Medal)
  • Capt. Dranreb Lansang  (Military Merit Medal)
  • Pfc. Edgardo Jose (Wounded Personnel Medal)
 

"Matagumpay ninyong nilimitahan ang mga lugar na hawak ng rebelde, at 'di na hinayaang makapasok ang iba pang nagbabantang pangkat. Kaya naman taos-puso po tayong nagpupugay at nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng ating mga sundalo’t pulis na buong tapang na nakipaglaban para sa kaligtasan ng ating mga Boss," Aquino said during his speech at the event.
 
"Habambuhay pong babantayog ang inyong dedikasyon at propesyonalismo sa kasaysayan; magsisilbi kayong huwaran 'di lamang ng kasalukuyang henerasyon, kundi maging ng susunod na salinlahi," he added. 
 
Defense Sec. Voltaire Gazmin and AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista assisted Aquino during the awarding.

According to a statement from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the 2,473 soldiers who participated in the Zamboanga crisis either in administrative or combat capacity are all set to receive an award "commensurate to their bravery in combat and valuable service rendered in operations."
 
It likewise said 550 officers and enlisted personnel of the AFP have already been awarded.

After the two-week crisis, at least 18 soldiers were killed while 167 were wounded. On the other hand, five policemen were killed and 14 wounded, according to the Zamboanga police. It also said 12 civilians died while 72 were wounded. 
 
Meanwhile, the city police said 167 MNLF members were killed during the crisis. 

But even if the Zamboanga crisis is over, Aquino said police and soldiers continue to help with the rehabilitation efforts in the province.
 
"Walang patid ang paghahatid natin ng pagkain, tubig, at serbisyong medikal sa mga apektadong komunidad. Katuwang ang ating mga sundalo’t pulis, ibabangon natin ang Zamboanga mula sa nagdaang trahedya, at magkakasama nating itataguyod ang kapayapaan sa kalakhang bansa," he said. — with Amanda Fernandez/KG/RSJ, GMA News 

Tags: zamboangacityattack, benignoaquinoiii, mnlf
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