Photo courtesy of 9th Infantry “Spear” Division, Philippine Army
QUEZON CITY (PIA) — Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner Jr., has lauded the Philippine Army’s (PA) 9th Infantry Division for what he described as “exemplary service in balancing humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations alongside internal security operations” during the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) in the Bicol Region.
“I am very proud of all the accomplishments of the 9th Infantry Division. Despite our tall order to end insurgency in the country, we are also called to respond to calamities. And in all these challenges, the AFP, including the 9th ID, always responded and delivered,” Brawner said in his visit to the 9th ID, referred to as “Spear Division,” on Oct. 28 at Camp Elias Angeles, San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur.
Brawner praised the troops for their “unwavering dedication and resilience in managing these dual challenges.”
Brawner also awarded the Wounded Personnel Medal to PA Corporal Jaypee Garido “in recognition of his bravery after being wounded in action during a combat engagement with armed Communist terrorists while conducting HADR operation [in the region] on October 27.”
Brawner said the visit reinforces the AFP’s commitment to supporting disaster response efforts and maintaining security, ensuring the safety and resilience of communities across the nation. (PIA DMD)
