Hero soldiers, policemen honored in DavOr

DAVAO ORIENTAL, March 2, 2015 —Top officials from the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army gave honors to hero policemen and soldiers at the City of Mati Police Station last  February 24.

PNP Regional Director PCSUPT Wendy G. Rosario led the awarding to thirty nine PNP personnel, under Provincial Director PSSUPT Jose Carumba, who successfully defended the Mati Police Station in a fierce gun battle with more than 50 lawless armed group last February 15.

Twenty-three cops received the prestigious Medalya ng Kadikalaan and 16 received Medalya ng Kagalinganin honor to their bravery and act of heroism.

Meanwhile, 16 soldiers of the 701st Brigade of the Philippine Army under the command of Col. Bienvenido Datuin, Jr., received the Military Merit Medal for their valiant bravery and great courage in pushingreinforcement to the policemen during the firefight.

The Philippine Army’s Eastern Mindanao Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad and 10th Infantry Division Commander, Major General Eduardo M. Año awarded these medals to the soldiers who put their lives at risk during the reinforcement operation.

The soldiers’ fallen comrades, who under the heat of the battle took extra step of courage and bravery in executing their duties, were also given honors.

The Sangguniang Bayan of the City of Mati and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the Province of Davao Oriental had read and awarded Resolutions commending the PNP and the Philippine Army for their exceptional bravery in defending the city despite the dangers of being under heavy fire.

At the ceremony, Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon lauded the bravepolicemen and military awardees.

“It would have been tragic and different news had you wavered in your courage even for a fraction of a second in the face of unprovoked aggression, but you did not. Instead you were able to hold your line and repelled the attackers,” she told the police awardees.

Moreover, she congratulated the decorated military awardees. She also lauded the military’s unfailing quick responses and hard work that they always extend whenever there is a crisis, noting its role at the height of super typhoon Pablo in 2012.

In her message, the governor underscored the word ‘coordination’, which she said attributes to the success of trampling the enemy forces. She said the partnership forged by the Philippine Army and the PNP ushered this achievement and has ‘raised the morale of a grieving nation in the midst of the tragic event in Magunidanao that so rocked the nation’.

“These awards would not only mean life achievement of bravery, but it is a story of successfully defending the peace and progress that we have so labored and hoped for, not only in the City of Mati but also for the province and the whole nation,” she said.

“Indeed, you have demonstrated courage, preparedness, and coordination but most of all you have embodied the ultimate sacrifice—the willingness to lay down your lives for our people,” added the governor. (Karen Lou Deloso/PIO)