10 troops get medals for defending Maguindanao from attacks

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Ten government soldiers were awarded medals on Monday for their roles in helping improve the peace and order situation in Maguindanao province, site of the brutal massacre of 57 people last year. Two pro-government militiamen were also given the same citation. Acting Maguindanao Governor Bai Nariman Ambolodto personally handed the medals during the flag-raising ceremony attended by senior military commanders and local government officials at the provincial capitol in Shariff Aguak town. Those who received awards were 1st Lt Alvin Cardenas; 2nd Lt. Rene Gatugan Jr.; Sgts. Eduardo Bautista and Pinion Lim; and Cpls. Mamerto Abarcar and Joseph Soriano, all from the 9th Scout Ranger Company who fought against some 30 gunmen in Shariff Aguak last Jan. 24. Also awarded were Cpl. Adonis Lagmay and militiamen Ronel Dagadas and Bobby Tagiled, who fought and defended their post in Datu Hofer town against 100 gunmen last Jan. 10. Capt. Abdila Mangoramas and SSgts. Alex Brosas and Ranilo Aguilar of the 46th Infantry Battalion also received medals for defending their patrol base in Shariff Aguak from 50 gunmen last Dec. 14. Maguindanao, one of the provinces under the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), is still under state of emergency following the Nov. 23 massacre that was blamed on the powerful Ampatuan political dynasty. Among those murdered were the wife and two sisters of Ismael "Toto" Mangudadatu, the vice mayor of Buluan town who is running for governor of Maguindanao – a position held by Andal Ampatuan Sr., the clan's patriarch. Lt. Col. Benjamin Hao of the 6th Infantry Division said those who were awarded also fought some 180 gunmen in three separate attacks in Maguindanao. “The acting governor personally thanked the men and women in uniform based in her province and bowed to support the peace and security measures that are being undertaken to ensure normalcy and economic activity in Maguindanao," he said. - KBK, GMANews.TV