Duterte honors soldiers killed, hurt in bloody Samar clash

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte condoles with the kin of one of the slain soldiers during his visit to Camp Lukban Station Hospital in Catbalogan City, Samar on June 19, 2019. KARL NORMAN ALONZO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

TACLOBAN CITY — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday night led the awarding of the Order of Lapu-Lapu to 14 soldiers killed and wounded in a clash with communist terrorists in Calbiga, Samar two months ago.

In a simple ceremony, the commander-in-chief pinned the Rank of Kampilan medals to nine wounded in action soldiers at the Heroes Ward of the Camp Vicente Lukban Station Hospital in Catbalogan City and handed over the Rank of Kalasag medals to the family members of the five soldiers killed during the bloody encounter.

“I salute our brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during an ambush by communist terrorists last April. Their sacrifice for our country will never be forgotten and their needs, including those of their families, will be taken care of,” Duterte said.

He said the bravery of these soldiers has motivated the government to step up support for the Philippine Army as they fulfill their duty of securing the people.

“This administration will work hard to meet all of your needs and that of your families, and all that I ask is that you perform your responsibilities to the best of your abilities. It is now, more than ever, that we need to work hard and work together, if we are to bring real, lasting peace and meaningful change for our country,” he added.

The recipients of the Order of Lapu-Lapu Rank of Kampilan were Cpl. Eduardo Vigilia Jr., Cpl. Mark Lester Amparo, Pfc. Joseph Salonga, Pfc. Mark Louie Lantecsi, Pfc. Mark Kevin Frigillana, Pfc. Joemar Glenn Seligbon, Pvt. Delio Amaro, Pvt. Joseph Renel Gentalian, and Pvt. Rex Español.

The Order of Lapu-Lapu is given to persons in the government or private sector who have rendered extraordinary service or have made exceptional contributions to the success of the President’s campaign or advocacy.

The Kampilan medal is conferred on persons who were seriously wounded or suffered a great loss of property as a direct result of their participation in such activities.

The President also led the handover of the Order of Lapu-Lapu Rank of Kalasag to the dependents of the soldiers who died during the April 23 clash.

The Kalasag medal, on the other hand, is awarded to officials and personnel of the government and private individuals who lost their lives as a direct result of their participation in an activity pursuant to a campaign or advocacy of the President.

The soldiers, killed-in-action and posthumously given the Order of Lapu-Lapu, were Cpl. Robert Bueno, Cpl. Alix Saliwan, Pfc. Danilo Constantino Jr., Pfc. Arthur Garcia, and Pvt. Elben Lagrimas.

On April 23, an undetermined number of New People’s Army rebels detonated a bomb around 2:45 a.m. when they spotted patrolling soldiers in the upland village of Beri, some 12 kilometers from Calbiga town center.

After the blast, soldiers of 46th Infantry Battalion engaged the terror group in several hours of fierce gun battle, which lasted until daytime.

The NPA, which has been engaged in a five-decade armed struggle, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.