MANILA, Philippines (Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the giving of the highest honor, the ‘medal of valor’ to 42 Special Action Force (SAF) troopers who were killed during the Mamasapano encounter with the rebel groups in 2015. It should be recalled that only two SAF troopers were Senior Inspector Gednat Tabdi and Police Officer 2 Romeo Cempron, were awarded Medals of Valor last year by then President Benigno Aquino III.
According to Republic Act No. 9049 (An Act Granting Monthly Gratuity and Privileges to an Awardee of Medal of Valor), Medal of Valor awardees are entitled to a lifetime monthly pension of twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) and several incentives and special privileges.
Among the benefits which have already been received by the 44 SAF troopers from the National Police Commission (Napolcom) were one-rank posthumous promotion, gratuity and pension for their families, and Napolcom scholarship grant for their children.
In a letter addressed to Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno, Duterte signed the recommendations of the Department of Interior Local Government (DILG) and the National Police Commission (Napolcom) to award the Philippine National Police’s highest honor, medal of valor (Medalya ng Kagitingan) to the PNP-SAF troopers who were killed during the botched ‘Oplan Exodus.’
According to the President’s letter, this is to commemorate the acts of conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life and limb above and beyond the call of duty.”
During a meeting with the families of the elite policemen in Malacañang last month, it can be recalled that President Duterte had promised that he would give the medal of valor to the other 42 members of SAF 44.
The police officers who will be awarded medals of valor posthumously include Chief Inspector Ryan Pabalinas, Chief Inspector Max Jim Tria,Chief Inspector John Garry Erana, Chief Inspector Cyrus Anniban, Senior Inspector Joey Gamutan, Senior Inspector Rennie Lumasag Tayrus, SPO2 Lover Ladao Inocencio, SPO1 Rodrigo Fernandez Acob, Jr., SPO1 Virgel Serion Villanueva, SPO1 Noel Onangey Golocan, SPO1 Andres Duque, Jr., SPO1 Junrel Kibete, SPO1 Victoriano Acain, Jr., SPO1 Robert Allaga, SPO1 Jedz-in Asjali, SPO1 John Lloyd Sumbilla, PO3 Amman Esmula, PO3 Romeo Senin II, PO3 Chum Agabon, PO3 Glenn Bedua, PO3 Richelle Baluga and PO3 Noel Balaca, Jr.
Other SAF troopers who will be conferred the highest police award are PO3 Godofredo Cabanlet, PO3 Walner Danao, PO3 Joel Dulnuan, PO3 Franklin Danao, PO3 Jerry Kayob, PO3 Noble Kiangan, PO3 Ehraim Mejia, PO3 Omar Nacionales, PO3 Rodel Ramacula, PO3 Roger Cordero, PO3 Peterson Indongsan Carap, PO3 Nicky de Castro Nacino, Jr., PO2 Russel Bilog, PO2 Windel Candano, PO2 Loreto Capinding II, PO2 Gringo Cayang-o, PO2 Mark Lory O. Clemencio, PO2 Joseph G. Sagonoy, PO2 Olliebeth L. Viernes and PO2 Angel Chocowen Kodiamat.
The medal of valor is the highest honor that can be given to a policeman.
