POLICE Corporal Irpeel Lapniten failed to pin a medal on his eldest daughter because he is recuperating from his wounds sustained during an attack by the New People’s Army in Mountain Province last week.
Lapniten, a member of the Regional Mobile Force 1502nd Company and resident of Bayoyo, Buyacaoan, Buguias sustained injuries on his left neck while his fellow police officer, Patrolman Wilfredo Padawil, also from the 1502nd Company and resident of Tetep-an, Sagada, Mountain Province, died.
"He is recuperating well. At least, he can already move his neck (from) side to side,” said Karen Lapniten-Bosaing, sister of the police officer.
Lapniten recalled that minutes before the encounter, they were looking for higher ground when the firefight broke which lasted for several minutes.
On Saturday, Police General Oscar Albayalde said Padawil will receive a posthumous medal while Lapniten will receive the Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting PNP Wounded Medal.
The Leonardo Pacsi Command of the New People’s Army operating in Mountain Province claimed responsibility for the attack and said the two police officers were mere victims of circumstances.
“Kung tutuusin, kaawa-awa ang mga katulad nina Patrolman Wilfredo Padawil at Police Corporal Eroeel Lapniten, na dahil sa kahirapan, kawalan ng disenteng trabaho, at sistemikong pang-aapi sa mga Igorot ay napipilitang isugo ang kanilang mga buhay para sa mga institusyong katulad ng AFP at PNP na korap, pasista, maka-dayuhan, at kontra-mamamayan,” NPA spokesman Magno Udyaw said in a statement.
“Ang mga tulad din nina Padawil at Lapniten ay ang target ng IP-centric approach, kung saan malawakang nagrerekluta ang AFP at PNP sa hanay ng mga Igorot upang ipaing ang mga ito sa mga operasyon sa Cordillera, isang malawak na kabundukan na pinaglalawayan ng mga dayuhang korporasyon,” it adds.