PERSONNEL of Cauayan Municipal Police Station in Negros Occidental who survived the ambush staged by suspected rebels last October 3 received the
Medalya ng Papuri or the Philippine National Police (PNP) Commendation Medal for their invaluable services rendered to Police Regional Office (PRO)-Western Visayas.
Awarded were station head Chief Inspector Gary Alan Resuma, and his five men, Senior Police Officer 1 (SPO1) Jeorge Anthony Lorenton, PO3 Turk Libo-on, PO2 Thom Amable Mamigo, and PO1s John Mabayag, and Sunny Boy Llena.
The awarding rites was held at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) Monday.
Chief Superintendent Cesar Binag, director of PRO-Western Visayas, who awarded the medals, was assisted by city officials headed by Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and Bacolod Lone District Representative Greg Gasataya with former Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Martin Diño.
The five police officers responded to a call for assistance for alleged robbery hold-up. On their way to the site, they were ambushed by more or less 30 armed men. They fired back and were unharmed.
In a press statement Monday, the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office appealed to the public to put their worries aside since the incident was considered an isolated case.
Meanwhile, 27 other police officers were also given awards.
Four personnel of Bacolod City Police Station 6, including Chief Inspector Jovil Sedel, SPO2 Ian Piano, SPO1s Noli Fregil and Inocencio Batisla-ong, also received the PNP Commendation Medal.
They were recognized for a successful drug bust that resulted to the arrest of suspect Joerem Valois and confiscation of 11 sachets of "shabu" on September 21, 2017.
Thirteen police officers of La Carlota City Police Station headed by Superintendent Cresenciano Cordero received the Medalya ng Kagitingan or the PNP Merit Medal for the conduct of anti-illegal drugs operation on July 14, 2017 which led to the arrest of subject Anson Tan and the confiscation of P326,000 worth of hard drugs shabu (metamphetamine hydrochloride).
Other awardees were Senior Police Officers 4 Edgar Salde Jr. and Jerry Rumbines, SPO3s Joery Tibang and Donel Tangub, PO3s Alvin Pereira and Jollymar Acosta, PO2s Milky Natuel, Rovelon Pieldad and John Mark Honesto, and PO1s Charles Gabales, Jilbert Locsin, and Metche Lomugdang.
Ten personnel of San Carlos City Police Station led by Superintendent Arturo Fullero also received the PNP Merit Medal for the successful drug bust operation conducted on June 12, 2017 which led to the arrest of suspect Corsiden Pangkatan and also yielded P1.615 million worth of shabu.
The nine other awardees were Inspector Lamberto Mirande, SPO2 Jose Roy Sandoval, PO3 Clark Nieves, PO2s Dwight Fajardo, Archie Alfajora, Erwin Logarta, Jimmy Dumdum, R.C. Magpusao, and PO1 Michael de la Torre.