In a ceremony held at the 2nd Marine Brigade headquarters in Tawi-Tawi last Sunday, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Cirilito Sobejana conferred medals to two ranking officers for their role in the Indonesians’ rescue and the neutralization of terror leaders.
Sobejana awarded the Distinguished Navy Cross to Col. Nestor Narag, deputy commander of Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi, for orchestrating the Fleet-Marine operation which led to the neutralization of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leader Majan Sahidjuan, alias “Apo Mike,” and two followers.
A Silver Cross Medal was awarded to the Special Intelligence Team under the 2nd Marine Brigade for providing intelligence information that led to successful military operations from March 19 to 24 in Tawi-Tawi.
Sobejana handed over a P2-million reward for the units involved in the neutralization of Apo Mike.
“To the commanders, let us always strike a good balance on mission accomplishment and the morale and welfare of our soldiers,” said Sobejana.
The ceremony was also attended by Western Mindanao commander Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., Naval Forces Western Mindanao commander Rear Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr., Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi commander Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas, and other military officers.