FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija — The Army's 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division commander, Major General Andrew Costelo, hailed the bravery of the soldiers involved in the military encounter in Barangay Rio Chico, General Tinio here.

The encounter between the New People's Army reberls and the 84th Infantry Battalion on 1 September resulted in the death of Private First-Class Jaylord I Hipolito while Private First-Class Francis D Lictawa suffered several wounds.

Costelo awarded the "Wounded Personnel Medal" to PFC Lictawa at Fort Magsaysay Army Station Hospital, citing that the "Wounded Personnel Medal" is conferred to members and civilians of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who suffered injuries in a combat operation against the enemies.

The Philippine Army held a funeral honor for the Late Private First-Class Jaylord I Hipolito at Saint Joseph the Worker Chapel on the same day before his remains was brought to home.

The 84th IB under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Enrico Gil Ileto gives their full support to the troops who suffered from the encounter and extends their deepest condolences to the bereaved family of late PFC Hipolito.