Army chief fetes troops involved in Marawi liberation

Tiongson said a total of 39 Combat Commander Kagitingan badges, four Silver Cross medals, and 14 Military Merit medals were awarded. (Photo: Philippine Army/Facebook)

MANILA— Philippine Army commander Lt. Gen. Rolando Joselito D. Bautista honored troops and units from various services involved in the five-month battle to liberate Marawi City from Maute Group terrorists in a short ceremony in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Friday.

Bautista led the awarding ceremony where personnel and units of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Coast Guard were honored for their contribution in defeating the terrorists, Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Ray Tiongson said.

Tiongson said a total of 39 Combat Commander Kagitingan badges, four Silver Cross medals, and 14 Military Merit medals were awarded.

Meanwhile, plaques of recognition were given to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th Infantry Divisions; Special Operations Command; First Scout Ranger Regiment; Light Reaction Regiment; Special Forces Regiment (Airborne); Mechanized Infantry Division; Army Artillery Regiment; Army Signal Regiment; Army Intelligence Regiment; Civil-Military Operations Regiment; 52nd Engineer Brigade; 53rd Engineer Brigade; 54th Engineer Brigade; 500th Engineer Combat Battalion; Army Reserve Command; and the Army Support Command.

Bautista also recognized 16 other military, police, and coast guard units: Philippine Air Force’s 15th Strike Wing, 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing, 5th Fighter Wing, 300 Air Intelligence and Security Group, 3rd Tactical Operations Group, and 710th Special Operations Wing; Philippine Marines Corps; Naval Special Operations Group; Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Health Service Command, and Intelligence Service; PNP Special Action Force; Police Regional Office 10; Police Regional Office Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao; Health Service; Maritime Group; and the Philippine Coast Guard.

“Bilang dating Commander ng Joint Task Force Marawi, nakita at naramdaman ko po lahat ng sakripisyo ng inyong mga units at kawal upang ating malampasan ang tinuturing natin na isa sa pinakamatinding pagsubok na kinaharap hindi lamang ng atingArmed Forces kundi ng ating buong bansa (As former commander of Joint Task Force Marawi, I witnessed and felt all the sacrifices of your units and troops to get through one of the most serious trials faced not only by the Armed Forces, but by the entire country),” said Bautista.

“Kasama na rito ang hamon sa PNP at Philippine Coast Guard. Kung kaya’t sa araw na ito, minarapat natin na kilalanin at pasalamatan ang lahat ng mga units at indibidwal na tumugon sa hamon na mapalaya ang Marawi at maprotektahan ang lahat ng mamamayan nito laban sa mga teroristang grupo (This includes the challenges faced by the PNP and the Philippine Coast Guard. That is why on this day, we fittingly recognize and thank all units and individuals who responded to the challenge to free Marawi and protect all citizens from terrorist groups),” Bautista said.