MERIT MEDAL. Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the Philippine Army's 3rd Infantry Division, pins the Military Merit Medal on a soldier of 62nd Infantry Battalion during a ceremony held at the unit's headquarters in Barangay Libas, Isabela, Negros Occidental on Monday (April 25, 2022). A total of 54 soldiers and one paramilitary trooper received medals for their participation in a series of successful encounters with the CPP-NPA rebels in central and southern Negros earlier this month.(Photo courtesy of 3rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army) BACOLOD CITY - Some 54 soldiers of the Philippine Army and one paramilitary trooper have been awarded medals for their participation in a series of successful encounters with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) rebels in central and southern Negros earlier this month. In separate rites on Monday, Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commander of 3rd Infantry Division, bestowed Military Merit Medals on 33 rec