TACLOBAN CITY — The Visayas Command (VisCom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has conferred awards to several units for their successful operations against communist guerilla groups in Eastern Visayas.
The AFP Campaign Streamer Awards were given to two infantry brigades, three battalions, and a former operational control unit of the 8th Infantry Division during the Command Conference at VisCom headquarters, Camp Lapu-Lapu, in Cebu City.
VisCom commander Lt. Gen. Fernando Reyeg, along with Maj. Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, 8th Infantry Division commander and Commodore Oscar Canlas Jr., VisCom deputy commander, presented the awards.
The 8th Infantry Division, in a statement, said the 801st Infantry Brigade and the 42nd Infantry Battalion, a former operational control unit of the division, were recognized for dismantling the ELCON Platoon, a unit of the Sub-Regional Committee of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC).
Meantime, the 802nd Infantry Brigade was awarded for dismantling the Sub-Regional Guerilla Unit (SRGU) Bugsok, another unit of the SRC, as well as the Apoy Platoon and Platoon 2, both part of the Island Committee 7 of the EVRPC.
The 63rd Infantry Battalion, on the other hand, was recognized for dismantling the SRGU Bugsok, the 78th Infantry Battalion for dismantling the Apoy Platoon, and the 93rd Infantry Battalion for dismantling Platoon 2.
Orio lauded the units for their exemplary service in dismantling the communist guerilla groups, which he said significantly contributed to the campaign to end local communist armed conflict in Eastern Visayas.
“These awards are a testament of your dedication and exemplary service,” Orio said. “Your accomplishment of dismantling these Communist Terrorist Groups have been vital in our goal of attaining a peaceful and progressive community for the people of Eastern Visayas.”
Orio also encouraged the troops to continue their efforts and sustain the gains against the remaining insurgents.
“We are almost there, so, let us continue our efforts and sustain our gains against these Communist Terrorist Groups,” he added. “The people rely on us.”