DAVAO CITY — Cris Paul Agustin just recently earned his first promotion as First Lieutenant of the Philippine Army (PA) and he is already leading a company of soldiers, a size of combatants and infantrymen normally led by a Captain, having their field operations in Maco, Compostela Valley some 80 kilometers away from Davao City.
He is one of the six recipients of a Military Merit Medal (MMM) awarded by Major General Ernesto Boac, Commanding General of the 10th Infantry (Agila) Division, on the occasion of the 1st Quarterly 2007 ISO (Internal Security Operations) Assessment held recently at the army camp in Panacan, Davao City.
“This is part of the command’s pursuit of boosting the morale of our men in the field”, Col. Benito Antonio de Leon, spokesman of the 10th ID, PA, told a group of media during the fellowship night with the officers and men at the headquarters of the Agila Division.
In fact, Maj. Gen. Boac has constantly reminded all the officers to talk to your men to maintain the high spirit and togetherness of the soldiers in the field. Col. Benito, who is also chief of staff of the 10th ID, said.
Of the total 22 awardees, 17 are military personnel some of whom are known throughout the Davao like retired Lt. Col. Yusop Jimlani of Task Force (TF) Davao and Lt. Col. Restituto Padilla of the Tactical Operations Group (TOG) 11, the group responsible for the retrieval of Lake Venado drowning victim Ian Caasi recently in Mt. Apo.
Also five of the awardees and recipients of plaques of appreciations belong to the civilian sector including Ms. Debby A. Go, manager of SM Davao and Dr. Joselito Cembrano of the Davao Medical Center (DMC).
The coveted Gold Cross Medal belongs to the equally brave and gallant young soldier 2Lt. Francis John Gabawa of the 67IB and the Wounded Personnel Medal goes to 1Lt Abelardo Gabasa.
Also pinned the three Bronze Cross Medals are Maj. John Sebastian Fuerte, TSgt. Sabeniano Garlet and SSg. Sotero Castillanes.
In the same awarding ceremony were acclaimed as the Best Enlisted Personnel SSgt. Dominador Lanestosa and CAA Gilbert Lamera as the Best Civilian Army Auxilliary.
When asked of the performance of 1st Lt. Agustin of PMA Class 2002, Major Rolando Rodil, the Battalion Commander of the 25th IB based in Maco had one curt reply – “Matapang siya sa lahat ng bagay!” (PIA XI/Romy Sabaldan) davaotoday.com
