Soldiers in Tarlac clash recognized

MANILA, Philippines - Army troops involved in an operation that left six communist rebels dead in Camiling, Tarlac last month were honored by top security officials last Tuesday.

Awarded with military merit medals were eight soldiers from the 3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion led by Capt. Loyd Tondo.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Armed Forces chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista led the awarding ceremony at the Subic Bay International Airport in Zambales. Among those awarded were Sgt. Benjamin Garlejo Jr., Cpls. Rodelio Navarro, Vicman Rabanos, Freddie Selda and Jover Mercado, and Pfcs. Robert Lee Bermil and Belly Jay Caguia.