Duterte confers award to soldiers who rescued Abu Sayyaf kidnapped victims

December 17, 2019

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) awarded the commander of a Philippine Army unit involved in the succesful rescue of the Hyron couple during the celebration of its 84th founding anniversary on Tuesday.

During the awarding ceremony led by President Rodrigo Duterte at military's Camp Aguinaldo headquarters in Quezon City, the Distinguish Conduct Star was awarded to Capt. Rico Tagure, the company commander of 4th Special Forces Company, 2nd Special Forces Battalion, Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) of the Philippine Army.

He was awarded for "acts of conspicious courage and gallantry in action in the face of armed enemies" during the successful conduct of combat search and rescue operation of Abu Sayyaf kidnapped victims Alan Hyron, a British businessman, and his Filipina wife Wilma in the municipalities of Parang and Indanan, Sulu from November 23 to 25.

Also awarded during the celebration were Western Mindanao Command chief Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana who recieved Philippine Legion of Honor and four other soldiers.

In his speech, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Noel Clement highlighted the accomplishments of the armed forces in the past year.

“The communist terrorist group is in disarray due to continuous neutralization of its members, particularly the high ranking personalities. This is manifested by the minimal number of atrocities committed by the group, which are mostly unsucceful harassments,” Clement said.

“We have contained the local terrorist groups in Western Mindanao. We have neutralized three suicide bombers that could have inflicted massive death, injury and destruction were if not for the vigilance of our soldiers,” he added.

Clement said the armed forces were able to nuetralize more than 2,000 rebels within the year.

"Since January of this year, the AFP has reduced the capabilities of the communist terrorist group with the nuetralization of 2,735 personalities and the seizure of 1,669 firearms," he said.

"We also able to clear 183 affected barangays, clear 12 Guerilla Fronts and Diamantle four Pulang Bagani Commands," he added.

Also present during the event were National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, other government officials, foreign dignitaries, and former military leaders. Robina Asido/DMS