MEDAL FOR VALOR AWARDEES

CAPTAIN ARTURO B ORTIZ O-7920 PA

Murcia, Negros Occidental- 06 April 1990

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty during a fierce firefight against a numerically superior rebels at Sitio Manipulon, Pandaran, Murcia, Negros Occidental on 6 April 1990 while serving as Commander of five joint teams of the 606th Special Forces Company, Philippine Army and elements of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Units.

Upon receiving information on the presence of a large NPA camp in the hinterland of Murcia, CAPT ORTIZ initiated a planned raid mission on the place. Under cover of darkness, he led his troops in a gruelling 11-hour cross-country foot march and dangerously scaled a 1,000 foot steep cliff to infiltrate the enemy camp. Faced with a formidable rebel force numbering about 200, outnumbering his troop by a ratio of 4:1 and compounded by a grim prospect that an enemy counter attack would force his troops to backoff through the same dangerous cliff, where air or artillery fire support and troop reinforcement would be futile due to the dense forest, he courageously led his exhausted troops in creeping to as close as 10 meters from the enemy, cautiously avoiding booby traps and claymore mines.

 As he launched the surprise attack, the stunned rebels scampered for cover and fought back from their bunkers, behind tree trunks and fallen trees in total disarray. He sustained the momentum of the attack through accurate and controlled fire and maneuver. Disregarding personal safety, he darted from one team to another to encourage his troops and closely supervise the operation. He further instructed the troops to avoid hitting the women and children. In one instance, he rushed towards a group of hysterical women and children huddled under a tree and instructed them to lie prone to avoid being hit. After a 2-hour gun battle, CPT ORTIZ and his troops soundingly defeated the enemy and completely overrun the 28- hut NPA training camp. This resulted in 84 terrorist killed with 22 dead bodies counted, including 17 recovered on site, 8 captured, several others wounded, and 105 missing, as reported by the Negros Regional Party Committee monitored thru Negros Island Command’s Radio Monitoring System. On the government side, only one was wounded. Recovered from the enemy were 33 assorted firearms, 7 hand grenades, 20 rifle grenades, 5 ICOM radios, 8 claymore mines, 30 electric blasting caps, various types of explosives, thousands of ammunition, medical and surgical equipment, voluminous documents, P70,000.00 cash money and many others.

 By the display of exceptional courage and a high degree of leadership, CAPTAIN ORTIZ distinguished himself in the field of combat keeping with the highest traditions of Filipino soldiery, thereby earning honor and glory not only for himself and the Philippine Army, but also for the Armed Forces of the Philippines.