FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija — Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) Commander Lieutenant General Ramiro Manuel Rey bestowed Distinguished Service Medals, Gold Cross Medals, Silver Cross Medals and Command Plaques to personnel of the 7th Infantry Division (7ID).
Distinguished Service Medals were conferred to 702nd Infantry Brigade Commander Colonel Audrey Pasia, 7th Military Intelligence Battalion Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Bautista and 81st Infantry Battalion Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Rodrigo Mariñas Jr for the eminently meritorious and invaluable service in neutralizing New People’s Army (NPA) high value targets.
For the same accomplishment, Major Ronimar Abrero, Captain Randy Besa and Staff Sergeant Ronie Bumadilla received Gold Cross Medals.
In a statement, 7ID Commander Major General Lenard Agustin expressed happiness over the awards bestowed to the officers and men of the unit.
“The accomplishment of any officer and soldier of this unit is an honor to my leadership. I cannot be called a good commander without the laudable deeds of my men. I am truly happy seeing Kaugnay troopers acknowledged for their hard work. May the medals and plaques further encourage you to reach for excellence in all you do,” Agustin added.
Other Gold Cross Medal recipients include 2nd Lieutenant Jun Niño Espora and Staff Sergeant Marcielo Miomio for their gallantry in action during the conduct of a combat operation that resulted to the neutralization of one enemy and recovery of an M16 A1 Rifle, 130 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, seven backpacks, two improvised explosive devices, three antennas for two-way radios, assorted medical supplies, four gallons of food cache and a Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA flag.
First Lieutenant Justine Paul Chaves and Staff Sergeant John De Leon likewise received Gold Cross Medals for their contribution as members of the Battalion Quick Reaction Squad of the 84th Infantry Battalion during a military operation that resulted to the neutralization of seven CPP-NPA who are members of KLG Sierra Madre at barangay Estrella in Rizal, Nueva Ecija last November 14, 2019.
Other items recovered during the said operation include two M653 (baby armalite), Colt 5.56 rifle, three calibre .45 pistols, one hand grenade, two handheld radios, assorted ammunition and magazines, subversive documents with high intelligence value, and other war materiel.
Silver Cross Medals, on the other hand, were awarded to 1st Lieutenant Anthony Raymundo, Staff Sergeant Gualberto Mujeres Jr., and Private First Class Santiago Cungao for serving as support elements of 81st Infantry Battalion and 73rd Military Intelligence Company during the conduct of combat operations that resulted to the neutralization of NPA high value targets.
And lastly, 91st Infantry Battalion Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Reandrew Rubio, 84thInfantry Battalion Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Honorato Pascual Jr., and 81st Infantry Battalion Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Mariñas Jr. got command plaques for their successful leadership which resulted to different accomplishments that contributed to their respective units’ mission.