ni Ronalyn Seminiano Reonico | May 31, 2021
Pinagkalooban ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ng P2 million ang mga marine troops na sumagip sa Indonesian kidnap victims sa Tawi-Tawi at pumatay sa Abu Sayyaf leader, ayon sa Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom).
Sa ulat ng WestMinCom, si Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Cirilito Sobejana ang naging representante ni P-Duterte sa pagbibigay ng mga medal at monetary reward sa marine troops noong Linggo.
Ipinagkaloob ni Sobejana ang Distinguished Navy Cross award kay Colonel Nestor Narag, Jr. sa pagtupad niya sa kanyang tungkulin bilang Deputy Commander of Joint Task Tawi-Tawi sa isinagawang rescue operations para sa apat na Indonesian kidnap victims sa Kalupag Island, Languyan, Tawi-Tawi noong Marso 21.
Si Narag umano ang nagplano ng operasyon na ikinasawi ng Abu Sayyaf leader na si Majan Sahidjuan a.k.a. Apo Mike at dalawa pa niyang tagasunod.
Saad pa ng WestMinCom, “Col. Narag orchestrated a comprehensive Fleet-Marine operation and provided command and control to the operating sailors and marines who engaged the enemies which resulted in the neutralization of Abu Sayyaf Group leader Majan Sahidjuan, a.k.a. Apo Mike, and two of his followers.”
Tumanggap naman ng Silver Cross Medal ang Special Intelligence Team sa ilalim ng 2nd Marine Brigade “who provided timely intelligence information that led to the successful conduct of focused military and combat clearing operations in Kalupag Island, Languyan and Tandungan Island, Tandubas, all of Tawi-Tawi on March 19 to 24, 2021.”
Pahayag pa ni Sobejana, “We have to make ourselves happy all the time so that we become more productive. I always translate happiness into productivity regardless of where we are.
“To the commanders, let us always strike a good balance on mission accomplishment and the morale and welfare of our soldiers.”
Samantala, isinagawa ang awarding at handing over ng monetary award sa covered court sa loob ng 2nd Marine Brigade headquarters sa Barangay Sanga-Sanga, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi noong May 30.