Capt. Rico Tagure, an Igorot junior officer of the Philippine Army's Special Forces from the Cordillera, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Star for his role in the rescue of a British man and his wife from their Abu Sayyaf captors in Sulu.
President Rodrigo Duterte awarded the medal to Tagure at the 84th anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at Camp Aguinaldo on November 26, 2019.
Tagure, the company commander of the 4th Special Forces Company of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion, was recognized for his "conspicuous courage and gallantry in action in the face of armed enemies" in the successful rescue of British Alan Hyrons and his Filipino wife Wilma in November.
Tagure is an Igorot, a group of indigenous peoples from the mountainous regions of northern Luzon. He is one of the few Igorot to be awarded the Distinguished Conduct Star, the second highest military award of the Philippines.
The military rescued the kidnapped couple Hyrons last November 25 from the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu. The couple was arrested at their beach resort in Zamboanga del Sur on October 4.
According to reports, British Special Forces and intelligence officers also played a role in planning the rescue mission.
"I am grateful to the President for this award," Tagure said. "This is a testament to the bravery and dedication of the men and women of the Philippine Army, and to the Igorot people."
Tagure's award is a testament to the Philippines' commitment to fighting terrorism and protecting its citizens. It is also a reminder of the close cooperation between the Philippines and the United Kingdom in combating terrorism.
Here are the key elements of the news story:
- Capt. Rico Tagure, a junior officer of the Philippine Army's Special Forces
- He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Star for his role in the rescue of a British man and his wife from their Abu Sayyaf captors in Sulu.
- The rescue mission took place on November 25, 2019.
- The rescue mission took place in Sulu.
- Tagure was awarded for his "conspicuous courage and gallantry in action in the face of armed enemies."
- Tagure and his team of Special Forces soldiers launched a rescue operation in Sulu. They were able to track down the couple and rescue them without any casualties.
