Panacan, Davao City (22 July) -- No less than the Commanding General of the Philippine Army, Lt General Delfin N Bangit, donned the rank of Corporal Lemuel D Laid to Sergeant in a simple ceremony yesterday, 2:00pm, at the headquarters of Tactical Operations Group 11 (TOG11), old Sasa Airport, Davao City.

Sergeant Laid was meritoriously promoted for bravery in combat effective July 16, 2009 under the Headquarters Philippine Army Special Orders Number 136.

As the Assistant Detachment Commander, of Eden Detachment based in Toril, Laid led the strike operation as the main effort together with six CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) last July 13, 2009 at 11:00am in Sitio Lopoy, Barangay Tungkalan, Davao City.

The said operation resulted to a 20 minutes clash with the NPA rebels and the troops recovered the following: one M14 rifle, nine back packs with personal items, two claymore mines with detonating device, assorted magazines and ammunitions, flash light, batteries, transistor radio, assorted medicines, SIM cards and documents of high intelligence value.

One NPA rebel was killed during the said fire fight while no casualties were reported on the troops.

Meanwhile, earlier on the same day, the Commander of 10th Infantry Division, Major General Reynaldo B Mapagu awarded the Wounded Personnel Medal (WPM) to Private First Class Rolan S Salibio at the Digos Provincial Hospital.

Salibio was one of those who fought with the NPA rebels and overrun the encampment of the Guerilla Front 76, Far South Mindanao Region in Sitio Lahak, Barangay Sinapulan, Columbio, Sultan Kudarat last July 18, 2009 that resulted to the recovery of three high powered firearms, claymore mines, radio, 46 combat packs, medicines and documents.

Salibio also received cash assistance to support his needs while recuperating at the hospital.