Duterte commends soldiers wounded in North Cotabato clash

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday commended eight soldiers wounded in a firefight on Sunday with Moro guerillas involved in drug-trafficking for their exemplary performance of security duties.

 

The soldiers were injured in a deadly encounter with Moro rebels led by the notorious drug distributor Mukz Masgal, commonly known as “Commander Madrox,” in Barangay Nabalawag in Midsayap, North Cotabato early Sunday.

 

Masgal and his men, armed with assault rifles and anti-tank rockets, fired at the raiding team, comprised of policemen, personnel of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, and agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, sparking an encounter that lasted for four hours.

 

READ: Army bids goodbye to soldiers killed in North Cotabato clash

 

Duterte also pinned merit medals on the eight soldiers, still undergoing medication at a military hospital near the command center of 6th ID inside Camp Siongo in Datu Odin Sinsuat town in the first district of Maguindanao.

 

The wounded soldiers, 2Lt. Ruel Fortuna, Sergeant Antonio Grafil, Corporals Ronel Golez and Dio Cesar Española, and Privates 1st Class Normel Grande, Cris John Figueroa, Edgar Gorgone and Romnick Clerigo all belong to the 62nd Reconnaissance Company, a quick reaction and rapid deployment unit of 6th ID.

 

In a traditional Army-style “talk to the men” session with officers and enlisted personnel of 6th ID, Duterte reiterated his iron-fist policy against illegal drugs.

 

He again assured the personnel of 6th ID of his protection if confronted with legal issues as a consequence of their performance of security duties and in any involvement in police anti-narcotics operation.