FIFTEEN POLICE personnel in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) received merit and commendation medals for a successful operation against a suspected criminal in South Cotabato province.
Brig. Gen. Eliseo Tam Rasco, director of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-12, conferred the awards in a ceremony on Monday following approval from the Philippine National Police (PNP) central office.
Rasco said 10 police personnel received the Medalya ng Kagalingan (merit medal) while five others were given the Medalya ng Papuri (commendation medal) for the arrest of suspect Junior Digan Daludin in Barangay Tinongcop, Tantangan town in South Cotabato last April 28.
Daludin, who is allegedly involved in various illegal activities, was subjected to a search operation for illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and explosives. Recovered during the raid were a homemade shotgun, a caliber .38 revolver, a 12-gauge pistol, and two hand grenades
Rasco said the 10 police personnel were awarded the Medalya ng Kagalingan for the meritorious acts that they displayed during the implementation of the search warrant.
The awardees are Tantangan municipal police chief, Capt. Kent Jerek Capadosa, and members of the main operating unit composed of Senior Master Sergeant Vicente Bascoguin, Master Sergeant (MSg) Alexander John Salleva, Staff Sergeants Franklin Velasco, Rimon Marcellana, Richard Ballesta, Jerwin Tamayo, Shiela Waje, Corporal Rex Jalandoni, and Patrolman Khenverlie Jhon Lagudas.
Five other personnel — Executive Master Sergeant Pendatun Mangon, EMS Wilmar Pelaez, MSg Eleazar Sastrellas, Staff Sergeant Lazaro Sobejana II and Pat Donlito A Padernal — were awarded the Medalya ng Papuri “for demonstrating exemplary efficiency in the performance of their duties and responsibilities as members of security team” during the operation.
“We are highlighting this accomplishment to encourage our other units and personnel to be more vigorous in performing their mandates to serve and protect our communities,” Rasco said.
The awarding ceremony was graced by Major Gen. Ericson Velasquez, chief of the PNP Directorate for Integrated Police Operations- Southern Luzon, who was visiting the PRO-12.
In his speech, Velasquez cited the significance of the community in intelligence-gathering operations and as force multipliers to the PNP. He encouraged PRO-12 personnel to know the community well enough to properly assess and manage its safety and security situation.
“Every uniformed personnel should work out a good relationship with the community by advocating professionalism and service-oriented performance,” he said. (By Alejandro Saludo)
20
