From Philippine Army
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� President Rodrigo Duterte has conferred one of the highest military honors posthumously to a soldier slain at a suicide bombing on a military camp in Sulu province.
In a statement, Malacanang said Duterte has conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the Rank of Kalasag to Cpl. Richard Macabadbad when the President paid a visit at the soldier鈥檚 wake at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Cemetery for Heroes) in Fort Bonifacio.
Duterte arrived around 11:20 a.m. on Sunday (June 30) and stayed for about an hour before visiting the wakes of the other casualties of the attack owned up by the international terror network Islamic State.
Macababad, 33, was among three soldiers who died following the suicide bombing at the headquarters of the 1st Battalion Combat Team.
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The Kalasag Medal is awarded to those who 鈥渓ost their lives鈥� in carrying out duties for the President鈥檚 campaigns or advocacies.
Salvador Panelo, presidential spokesperson and chief legal counsel, called for tighter security in and around military camps following the terror attack, which came as the military started to pour in more men and munitions in Sulu in a campaign to eradicate the homegrown terror group Abu Sayyaf.
(Editor: Tony Bergonia)