EPITOMES OF EXCELLENCE | Matapat Troopers Awarded as Most Outstanding Zambosurians During 69th Araw ng Zamboanga del Sur
Four Matapat Troopers — 2 Officers, 1 Enlisted Personnel, and 1 CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) — of the Philippine Army’s 53rd Infantry “Matapat” Battalion (53IB) were awarded as Most Outstanding Zambosurians by Zamboanga del Sur Governor Victor J. Yu in a simple awarding ceremony in strict observance of pandemic protocols at Mindanao Hall, Provincial Government Complex, Dao, Pagadian City on September 17, 2021.
The awarding of Most Outstanding Zambosurians was part of the 69th Araw ng Zamboanga del Sur celebration with the theme “Sa paglipad 
ng Zamboanga del Sur, bida ang bakunadong Zambosurians.
“The Awardees were:2021 Most Outstanding Company Grade Officer
– 1Lt. Jonathan Cernitchez for his accomplishments as Charlie Company Commander and Operations Officer of 53IB2021 Most Outstanding Field Officer
– 2Lt. George Yu Jr. for his accomplishments as Civil-Military Operations of 53IB2021 Most Outstanding Enlisted Personnel
– Sgt. Jesel Laniohan for his contributions as Civil-Military Operations Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) of Bravo Company, 53IB2021 CAA of the Year
– CAA Narson Tulay for his contributions to the Intelligence Platoon of 53IB
With their remarkable achievements, the Matapat Troopers were awarded special recognition for their commitment to help and maintain a lasting peace and order leading to the declaration of the Province as “insurgency free and ready for further development.”
