By Priam Nepomuceno

HONORING THE BRAVE. AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. pins the Wounded Personnel Medal to a soldier of the 32nd Infantry Battalion during his visit to the Western Mindanao Command headquarters in Zamboanga City on Thursday (Jan. 23, 2025). Two soldiers were killed while 12 others were wounded in the Jan. 22 clash with lawless elements backed by peace spoiler members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Barangay Lower Cabengbeng, Sumisip, Basilan. (Photo courtesy of the AFP)

MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) assured that all necessary assistance will be provided to the soldiers wounded in a clash with lawless elements in Basilan province on Jan. 22.

“The AFP stands firmly behind them, and we will ensure they are provided with the necessary resources for a full recovery,” AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said in a statement late Thursday.

Brawner also honored the bravery of the wounded soldiers of the 32nd Infantry Battalion by awarding them the Wounded Personnel Medal, during his visit to the Western Mindanao Command headquarters in Zamboanga City earlier in the day.

“Our soldiers are the backbone of our national defense, and the bravery demonstrated by these personnel exemplifies the true meaning of selflessness and sacrifice,” he said.

Brawner also commended the soldiers for their dedication and service.

He also reiterated the AFP’s commitment to advancing the normalization program in the Bangsamoro region, aimed at addressing the root causes of conflict while ensuring that all actions remain within the bounds of the law and peace mechanisms.

At least two soldiers were killed while 12 others were wounded in the clash with lawless elements backed by peace spoiler members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Barangay Lower Cabengbeng in the town of Sumisip.

The encounter took place while the soldiers were providing security to United Nations Development Program (UNDP) personnel engaged in a peace and development project in the town. (PNA)