President Rodrigo Duterte salutes to Private Alex Agiaman during his visit to the Metro Davao Medical and Research Center in Davao City on Thursday, July 6, 2017. The President awarded a wounded personnel medal to Agiaman who was one of soldiers wounded in an encounter with suspected New People’s Army members in Monkayo, Compostela Valley on July 1, 2017. (ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte visited wounded-in-action (WIA) soldiers at the Metro Davao Medical Research Center (MDMRC) here on Thursday, June 6.
Private First Class Jestony C. Torifel, Pvt. Alex Agiaman, and Cpl. Ray PJ S. Lagura of the 25th Infantry Battalion received medals and financial assistance.
They were wounded in action during an encounter with members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Monkayo, Compostela Valley last July 1, 2017.
The troops were grateful for the visit of the President who came right after his talk with the troops at Camp Bahian in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
“Nalipay kay gibisita mi ni President. Pasalamat mi kay niadto siya diri,” Lagura told reporters in an interview.
(We’re happy that the President visited us. We’re thankful that he visited us here.
Lagura said Duterte promised them that he will take care of all the medical expenses. Lagura’s chin was fractured due to the shrapnels and needs to undergo a surgery.
Like Lagura, Agiaman also needs to undergo a critical surgery due to the shrapnels stuck in his chest.
“He has a foreign metal object from shrapnels of the improvised bomb in his chest. One of them embedded more on the major blood vessels. We couldn’t get it because it might bleed. We’ll wait for about two weeks for it to detach,” MDRMC hospitalist and surgery resident, Dr. Elvie Donado said.
WOUNDED TROOPER. Private Alex Z. Agiaman, 26, a member of the Army’s 25th Infantry Battalion tells reporters that they were patrolling around Barangay Mt. Diwata, Monkayo, Compostela Valley province when a landmine exploded on July 1, Saturday. Agiaman was among the 11 injured due to the explosion. Agiaman, along with two other soldiers, were visited by President Rodrigo Duterte at the Metro Davao Medical and Research Center (MDMRC) in Davao City on Thursday, July 6. (Robby Joy D. Salveron/davaotoday.com)
Agiaman said in an interview that they were patrolling the area in Barangay Mt. Diwata when the explosion happened on July 1.
Meanwhile, Torrefiel who is from North Cotabato had five wounds including one in his neck. He said it’s his second time receiving a wounded personnel medal.
The soldiers said that the President’s visit boosted their morale as soldiers and ought to continue service by the time they recover.
“Nalipay gyud mi. Dako gyud ni nga tabang saamo. Madamong salamat President Rodrigo Duterte saimong pagbisita saamo diri,” Torrefiel said.
(We’re very happy. This is a big help to us. Thank you President Rodrigo Duterte for visiting us here). (davaotoday.com)
