TWO young army lieutenants will be conferred the two top military decorations when the Philippine Army marks its 119th anniversary at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City on Tuesday.
The Distinguish Conduct Star, the second highest combat medal after the Medal of Valor, will be awarded to Lt. Dionizer Mark Delos Santos for engaging communist rebels in a day-long battle that resulted in the death of five rebels, including a ranking leader.
Delos Santos’ commander Lt. Col. Virgilo Noora of the 41st Infantry Battalion said the lieutenant and his platoon were conducting combat operation in said barangay when they discovered a temporary encampment of the rebel group in Lacub, Abra last November.
Five New People’s Army rebels were killed, including the Arnold Jaramillo, alias “Ka Mando,” secretary of the Abra provincial party political committee and a notorious NPA leader in the province.
Also to be decorated is Lt. Franz Arvin Balmaceda of the 73rd Infantry Battalion who led his troops in a battle that resulted in the killing of 7 communist rebels, the surrender of 13 more and the eventual dismantling of an NPA unit in Sarangani.
73rd IB commander Lieutenant Colonel Ronnie Babac said Balmaceda encountered the NPA in Alabel, Sarangani in February 2015.
“In that combat operation in Barangay Datal Aggas in Alabel town, Lt. Balmaceda led his troopers in battling the NPA that resulted in the killing of 7 rebels, recovery of 9 high-powered firearms and 3 improvised explosive devices (IED), subversive documents, and other war materials,” Babac attested.
“The encounter eventually led to the surrender of another 13 rebels after pursuit operation was conducted,” he added.
Babac said that months after that, on July 2, 2015, the Guerilla Front 75 was “eventually dissolved” by the NPA.
Cafgu Army Auxiliary (CAA) Gregorio Laginan of Datal Anggas, Alabel Patrol Base will receive the “Kagitingan sa Barangay” for his dedication and contributions to peace and development efforts.
Senior Police Officer 3 Ezrael D. Lantingan of Alabel Police Station will receive the Command Plaque in recognition of his “legal cooperation effort” to the Army.
“The award is a simple way the Philippine Army thanks them for their support in our quest of attaining just and lasting peace in our area of responsibility. They showed that with the collaborative effort of all stakeholders, we can win the peace,” Babac said.