The 61st Infantry “Hunter” Battalion of the Army marked its 22nd anniversary Tuesday by awarding medals to 71 soldiers, and plaques of citation to 12 civilians, and six mayors and a congressman, for their help to the military outfit in southern Negros.

Col. Alexander Yano, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, assisted by Lt. Col. Leodevic Guinid, 61st IB commander, pinned the various military decorations on the soldiers for exemplary performance displayed in anti-insurgency campaigns and related activities.

1Lt. Ronald Putol, then 61st IB Civil Military Operations chief, who led the awardees, received a Bronze Cross Medal, in recognition of his efforts in facilitating the surrender of several armed NPA members in southern Negros, last year.

Yano also presented plaques of citations to mayors Soledad Chua Montilla of Sipalay, Cicero Borromeo – Candoni, Pedro Zayco Jr. – Kabankalan, Joyce Alvarez – Ilog and her father-in-law Rep. Genaro Alvarez, as well as to Cauayan Mayor John Tey Tabujara, for their support to the 61st IB.

The unit was deployed to Negros Occidental in 1988, with then Maj. Alphonsus Crucero as its first commander.

Military records show that 61st IB was adjudged best battalion of the 3rd Infantry Division from 2005 to 2007, and topped the evaluation rating from first to third quarters last year.*GPB

back to top