Duterte honors soldiers slain in Samar encounter
Published Nov 16, 2019 09:02 am
By Argyll Cyrus Geducos and Marie Tonette Marticio
President Duterte has posthumously conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu, Rank of Kalasag on the six Army soldiers who were killed in an encounter with the New People's Army (NPA) in Eastern Samar early this week.
Duterte went to Camp General Vicente Lukban in Catbalogan City Friday evening to honor the soldiers who perished in a clash with Communist insurgents in Borongan, Eastern Samar. (Photo via Marie Marticio / MANILA BULLETIN)
Duterte went to Camp General Vicente Lukban in Catbalogan City Friday evening to honor the soldiers who perished in a clash with Communist insurgents in Borongan, Eastern Samar.
The recipients of the award were SSgt. Rex Jadulco, Sgt. Ronaldo Go, Sgt. Limar Banug, Cpl. Junmar Buranday, Cpl. Kent Lloyd Agullo, and Pfc. Charlie Del Rosario.
Aside from those killed, 24 other soldiers were wounded during the encounter. Sixteen personnel, confined at the Camp Lukban Station Hospital, were conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu, Rank of Kampilan by the President.
Meanwhile, four other soldiers, injured during separate clashes with the rebels, were also conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu by President Duterte.
Critically injured soldiers and police personnel in the Borongan City encounter were also conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu, Rank of Kampilan by President Duterte. They are recuperating at the Divine Word Hospital (DWH) in Tacloban City.
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 great loss of property as a direct result of their participation in such action.
The Kalasag Medal, on the other hand, is given 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 dependents of the soldiers killed in action received financial assistance from the government, while other support were extended through the state’s Comprehensive Social Benefit Program. The injured Army and police personnel were also given financial support.
Participating agencies under the social benefit program include the departments of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Trade and Industry (DTI), and Health (DOH); and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Other agencies providing assistance were the National Housing Authority (NHA), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
It can be recalled that President Duterte postponed his meeting with North Cotabato farmers to condole with the families of the soldiers who were killed and injured in the clash.
Based on reports, the government troops engaged in a 30-minute gun battle with the rebels after the latter's group detonated landmines.
It was also reported that a Communist terrorist was killed during the armed encounter.
Earlier, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar condemned the ambush on the soldiers, saying it was a clear move to derail the government's initiative to turn NPA rebels to the fold of the law.
Captain Reynaldo Aragones, Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division (8ID) Public Affairs Officer identified the wounded soldiers as Sgt. Kenneth John T. Arcina, Cpl. Linlito C. Donayre, PFC Albert C. Abegonia, Pvt. Darwin D. Aborquez, Pvt. Joshua M. Pacuan, Cpl. Aljon P. Aguilos and PFC Rex A. Batis Jr.
Dr. Gil Asoy, medical director of DWH, said the soldiers are now in stable condition, but three of them have already lost their eyesight, and two have suffered leg fractures.
Pacuan narrated that they were about to leave the area after a 10-day operation when they heard explosions. He was hit by shrapnel in different parts of his body.
His mother, Elizabeth condemned the treacherous attack by the NPA.
"Dapat lumaban sila ng harap-harapan, pero mga traydor nga sila kaya gumamit pa sila ng bomba," she lamented.
Aborquez, expressed gratitude that the President took time to visit and extend assistance to them.
He narrated how his two legs were hit by the shrapnel from the bomb attack.
"Nung pumutok 'yung landmine sa amin, wala na talaga ang dalawa kong binti, wasak na. Napailalim ako sa isa ko pang kasama at gumapang na lang kami para mabuhay," he recalled.
Aborquez still needs to undergo surgery, along with the other soldiers to remove the shrapnel inside their bodies.
Duterte went to Camp General Vicente Lukban in Catbalogan City Friday evening to honor the soldiers who perished in a clash with Communist insurgents in Borongan, Eastern Samar. (Photo via Marie Marticio / MANILA BULLETIN)
Duterte went to Camp General Vicente Lukban in Catbalogan City Friday evening to honor the soldiers who perished in a clash with Communist insurgents in Borongan, Eastern Samar.
The recipients of the award were SSgt. Rex Jadulco, Sgt. Ronaldo Go, Sgt. Limar Banug, Cpl. Junmar Buranday, Cpl. Kent Lloyd Agullo, and Pfc. Charlie Del Rosario.
Aside from those killed, 24 other soldiers were wounded during the encounter. Sixteen personnel, confined at the Camp Lukban Station Hospital, were conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu, Rank of Kampilan by the President.
Meanwhile, four other soldiers, injured during separate clashes with the rebels, were also conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu by President Duterte.
Critically injured soldiers and police personnel in the Borongan City encounter were also conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu, Rank of Kampilan by President Duterte. They are recuperating at the Divine Word Hospital (DWH) in Tacloban City.
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 great loss of property as a direct result of their participation in such action.
The Kalasag Medal, on the other hand, is given 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 dependents of the soldiers killed in action received financial assistance from the government, while other support were extended through the state’s Comprehensive Social Benefit Program. The injured Army and police personnel were also given financial support.
Participating agencies under the social benefit program include the departments of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Trade and Industry (DTI), and Health (DOH); and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Other agencies providing assistance were the National Housing Authority (NHA), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
It can be recalled that President Duterte postponed his meeting with North Cotabato farmers to condole with the families of the soldiers who were killed and injured in the clash.
Based on reports, the government troops engaged in a 30-minute gun battle with the rebels after the latter's group detonated landmines.
It was also reported that a Communist terrorist was killed during the armed encounter.
Earlier, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar condemned the ambush on the soldiers, saying it was a clear move to derail the government's initiative to turn NPA rebels to the fold of the law.
Captain Reynaldo Aragones, Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division (8ID) Public Affairs Officer identified the wounded soldiers as Sgt. Kenneth John T. Arcina, Cpl. Linlito C. Donayre, PFC Albert C. Abegonia, Pvt. Darwin D. Aborquez, Pvt. Joshua M. Pacuan, Cpl. Aljon P. Aguilos and PFC Rex A. Batis Jr.
Dr. Gil Asoy, medical director of DWH, said the soldiers are now in stable condition, but three of them have already lost their eyesight, and two have suffered leg fractures.
Pacuan narrated that they were about to leave the area after a 10-day operation when they heard explosions. He was hit by shrapnel in different parts of his body.
His mother, Elizabeth condemned the treacherous attack by the NPA.
"Dapat lumaban sila ng harap-harapan, pero mga traydor nga sila kaya gumamit pa sila ng bomba," she lamented.
Aborquez, expressed gratitude that the President took time to visit and extend assistance to them.
He narrated how his two legs were hit by the shrapnel from the bomb attack.
"Nung pumutok 'yung landmine sa amin, wala na talaga ang dalawa kong binti, wasak na. Napailalim ako sa isa ko pang kasama at gumapang na lang kami para mabuhay," he recalled.
Aborquez still needs to undergo surgery, along with the other soldiers to remove the shrapnel inside their bodies.