Quezon Gov. David Suarez (in white) and Southern Luzon Command chief Maj. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal pose with the Quezon soldiers who fought...
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| Quezon Gov. David Suarez (in white) and Southern Luzon Command chief Maj. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal pose with the Quezon soldiers who fought in Marawi city siege against the Maute terrorist group. (JOHN A. BELLO) |
TAYABAS, QUEZON – Quezon Gov. David ‘Jayjay’ Suarez hailed as ‘our new heroes today’ the 15 Quezon soldiers who fought and survived the almost 5 months Marawi siege from Mauti-inspired terrorists.
“They are our new heroes today who did their best and sacrificed their lives for freedom and liberty of their countrymen. Anuman ang ipagkaloob natin sa kanila ay barya lamang sa ipinakita nilang kagitingan at tapang para sa ating bansa,” Suarez said during the 176th death anniversary of Hermano Puli last Nov. 4 at his statue in Bgy. Isabang here.
Suarez called each of the names of the soldiers belonging to the 1st Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Phil. and each of them stood proud in their uniforms to acknowledge the cheers and applause of the hundreds of participants who were sheltered under tents from a heavy pouring rain and lashing wind at the commemoration rites attended by various provincial government officials and employees, municipal and barangay officials and representatives of various private organizations in the province.
The 15 battle-scarred soldiers are: Sargeant Marlon Andrade of Alabat; Corporal (Cpl) Aldin Menes of Bgy. Sabang 2, Calauag; Cpl. Ronnie Gesta of Bgy. Rizal, Calauag; Cpl Jay A Javier of Calauag; Cpl Cheryl E Ramirez of Brgy San Roque, Catanauan; Private First Class (PVT) Kevin Ardonia of Gumian, Infanta; PFC Joshua P Avenilla of Lubayat, Real; PFC Onofre Datario of Brgy. Llavac, Real; PFC Joseph S Ferrer of Unisan; PFC Jhon Peralta of Macalelon; PFC John Michael Vilar of San Roque Ibaba, Calauag; PFC Nuclie Lee Villasanta of Lopez; PFC Ian Nicholo O AIles of Brgy Bocboc, Lopez; PFC Rinuel Avenilla of Brgy Lubayat Real; and PFC Marlon V Dejoras Brgy Lubayat, Real.
Suarez told AFP Southern Luzon Command chief Maj.Gen. Benjamin Madrigal who led the soldiers in attending the program that he hopes the remaining soldiers of the province who are still involved in the clearing operations in Marawi will be able to return safe with their families in Quezon.
Ma. Janet Geneblazo, provincial government public information officer, said each soldier will be receiving P30,000 cash from the governor and P20,000 from his father, House Minority Floor Leader and Quezon 3rd district Rep. Danilo Suarez, aside from plaques and resolution from the Sang. Panglalawigan honoring their heroism and bravery in battle.
During his brief speech, Suarez cited again the heroism and valor of Puli whose real name is Apolinario dela Cruz saying that his ideals and principles of equality in the religious organization he founded called Cofradia de San Jose inspired the 3 Filipino martyred priests Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora and other national heroes led by Jose Rizal that led to the Philippine revolution against Spanish tyranny in 1898.
The governor then announced the formation of a new group with the acronym of PULI or Provincial Union of Leaders Against Illegality which he said will number not less than 10,000 volunteers coming from the sitios and barangays of the province who will report against illegal drugs, insurgency, illegal gambling, illegal logging and other illegalities in their respective communities.
Suarez said the new group in Quezon will be in line with the call of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte against all forms of illegalities that threaten peace and development of the country.
According to Armed Forces of the Phil. accounts, Andrade processed and confirmed information gathered that led to successful combat clearing operations which resulted to recovery of 17 high powered firearms, 12 low powered firearms, assorted ammunitions, communication materials and subversive ducuments.
Menes spearheaded in blocking operations in Bangolo bridge west of the main battle area providing direct and indirect fire support to advancing troops against the Maute terrorists, particularly in combat clearing operations at Bgy. Sarimanok on June 8 penetrating danger zones used by the enemy as staging areas and succesfuly recovered 1 556mm M16 rifle, 4 short magazines for M16 and 2 bandoliers left behind by the escaping enemies.
Gesta and his men conducted patrol and area clearing operations 16 June 2017 penetrated danger zones used by the enemy as staging areas and successfully recovered 1 5.56mm M16 rifle, 2 M16 long magazines, 4 M16 short magazines, 4 carbine magazines, 300 rounds 5.56mm ammo, 3 rounds cal 50 ammo, 2 lcom handheld radios and bandoleers; and on June 29 Gesta and his men conducted rescue operations to 2 trapped civilians at Brgy Bubong notwithstanding the threats and sniper’s fire posed by the Maute group.
Javier and his team successfully conducted rescue operations to 4 trapped civilians trying to cross Raja Madaya (Masiu) Bridge notwithstanding the threats and sniper’s fire posed by the Maute group.
As combat medic Ramirez fearlessly risk her life notwithstanding the threats of sniper and RPG fire posed by the Maute group to save lives of rescued trapped civilians and the unit personnel who are wounded during the height of Marawi siege.
Ardonia as Fire Team Leader of 3rd Squad, I Platoon, A Company of their unit spearheaded his fire team in the conduct of blocking operations in the area of Raja Madaya (Maslu) Bridge situated in the immediate west of the main battle area.
Avenilla together with his squad conducted area clearing operations for possible enemy communication hub on occupied areas by the Maute Group particularly at vicinity of Brgy Sarimanok on 15 June 2017 by penetrating danger zones used by the enemy as staging areas and successfully recovered 1 556mm M16 rifle with magazine, 20 handheld radios, 15 antennas, 12 radio transceivers , 13 speaker microphones and 7 chargers, believed to be left behind by escaping and/or annihilated enemy.
Datario together with his squad successfully conducted combat clearing operations on occupied areas by the Maute group before establishing temporary patrol base particularly at vicinity Brgy Sarimanok on June 10 by penetrating danger zones used by the enemy as staging areas and successfully recovered 1 M203 with SN 714929, Oria (1) bandoleer, 5 rounds of 40 mm GL ammo and 1 Isis headband believed to be left behind by escaping and/or annihilated enemy.
Ferrer as Grenadier of 3 Squad, 1st Platoon of the unit, together with his companions conducted blocking operations in the area of Raja Madaya (Maslu) Bridge situated in the immediate west of the main battle area thus providing direct and indirect fires support to other advancing troops in relation to the implementation of OPLAN “LIBERATION” against the Mautes.
Peralta, Light Truck Driver of their unit, fearlessly risk his life notwithstanding the threats of sniper and RPG fire posed by the Maute group.
Vilar, Fire Team Leader, together with his squad successfully conducted area clearing operations for possible enemy communication hub on occupied areas by the Maute Group particularly at vicinity of Brgy Sarimanok, on June 15 by penetrating danger zones used by the enemy as staging areas and successfully recovered 1 5.56mm M16 rifle with magazine, 20 handheld radios, 15 antennas, 12 radio transceivers , 13 speaker microphones and 7 chargers, believed left behind by the escaping enemy.
Villasanta as combat medic (Trauma Specialist) of Medical Platoon of their unit, risk her life notwithstanding the threats of sniper and RPG fire posed by the Maute group to save lives of rescued trapped civilians and this unit personnel who are wounded during the height of Marawi siege.
AIles, rifleman of their unit, together with his squad conducted area clearing operations for possible enemy communication hub on occupied areas by the Maute group particularly at Brgy Sarimanok on June 15 by penetrating danger zones used by the enemy as staging areas and successfully recovered 1 5.56mm M16 rifle with magazine, 20 handheld radios, 15 antennas, 12 radio transceivers , 13 speaker microphones and chargers.
Avenilla as Rifleman conducted blocking operations in the area of Bangolo Bridge situated in the immediate west of the main battle area and together with his squad successfully rescued 1 trapped civilian at Brgy Raja Saduc, Marawi City on 28 July 2017 on 29 June 2017 notwithstanding the threats and snipers fire posed by the Maute group. Dejoras together with his squad successfully conducted rescue operations to 2 trapped civilians at Brgy Bubong Marawi City on 29 June 2017 notwithstanding the threats and sniper’s tire posed by the Maute group.
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