Brigadier General Gene Ponio, commanding general of the 1st Infantry 鈥淭abak鈥� Division of Philippine Army pins the Wounded Personnel Medal in one the five wounded military troopers being treated inside the 1ID army hospital Monday. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
ILIGAN CITY鈥揟he Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) gave medals of honor to five soldiers who were wounded in a clash on Saturday (Feb. 15) with suspected remnants of the terror group Dawlah Islamiya in the hinterlands of Balindong town, in Lanao del Sur province.
Brig. Gen. Generoso Ponio, 1st Infantry Division commander, pinned medals for the Wounded Personnel Award on the five soldiers after the flag raising ceremony inside the Kuta Cesar Sang-an Station Hospital of the divison hqdquarters in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.
The wounded soldiers included 2nd Lt. Edon John Sumpay, Privates First Class Jeson Orias and Alony Gado, Jr. and Sgt. Rodgen Pumares of the 82nd IB and Pvt Almie Maputi of 55th IB.
They were part of joint forces of the 82nd and 55th IB that clashed with armed men believed to be members of the Dawlah Islamiya on Saturday, according to Capt. Clint Antipala, acting officer of the 1st Division Public Affairs Office.
Pvt Ellasar Palma of the 55th IB was killed during the clash. Ponio said the soldiers would get the best medical treatment available for their speedy recovery.