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[av_heading heading=’3 Ilonggo soldiers cited for role in Marawi liberation’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”][/av_heading]
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Wednesday, November 8, 2017
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ILOILO City – Three Ilonggo soldiers received citations from the city government for their “contribution to the liberation” of Marawi City.
Private Andrew Catequista, Corporal Mark Gevero and Staff Sergeant Rodel Pacaña “not only earned distinct credit for themselves and the Philippine Army but to the people of Iloilo City for being bona fide members of the city community,” read the citation signed by Mayor Jose Espinosa III.
The three soldiers were honored after Monday’s flag-raising ceremony of the city government at Plaza Libertad. They were members of the 31st Division Reconnaissance Company of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division (3ID).
While their company was based in Murcia, Negros Occidental, the three were deployed to Bohol to run after Abu Sayyaf members prior their deployment to Marawi City that lasted for five months.
The three soldiers came home to Iloilo City on Oct. 22.
The 41-year-old Pacaña, a father of two from Barangay Rizal Pala-Pala 2, City Proper, was thankful he was able to return home safe.
He said the three of them were assigned to secure the rear end of their troops in the main battle area in Marawi.
The soldiers were proud to be a part of the team that liberated Marawi City. Pacaña said that while there, they prayed hard that God would keep them safe. Some of their comrades died while others got sick.
Gevero, 31, was from Barangay Boulevard, Molo district and assistant team leader. He said Marawi was his most difficult assignment as support team to the assault group.
Catequista, a 22-year-old resident of Barangay Quezon, Arevalo district and the youngest of three siblings, said he had no idea they would be assigned to Marawi. At first he was nervous because he didn’t know what awaited them in there, he said.
They were posted at the Dansalan College area.
“I was happy that we came home alive,” said Catequista.
Catequista’s aunt Diana Dumagat, 43, said she was proud of her nephew. She was the first person Catequista called upon knowing of his Marawi assignment.
In addition to the citations, the three solders also received P5,000 cash incentive each. (PNA)
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