At a press briefing on Friday, PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr. said the police force’s Special Promotions and Awards Deliberation Board is looking into awarding Medalya ng Kagitingan to the deserving policemen who took part in the operation to arrest two wanted terrorists in the area.
“Sa pakikipag-usap ko sa kanila, tinitignan na nila ang posibilidad na magkaroon ng award para sa iba pa,” he said.
The SAF troopers were able to kill one of its two targets, Malaysian bomber Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan, although the other one, Filipino bomb-maker Abdulbasit Usman, was able to escape.
The operation, however, led to a clash with Moro rebels in the area, resulting in the deaths of over 60 people, 44 of them SAF members.
The Medalya ng Kagitingan is equivalent to the Medal of Valor in the military, which is the highest award for combat.
The National Police Commission (Napolcom), in a memorandum, said “in order to justify this award, a member of the Philippine National Police must perform in action a deed of personal bravery and self-sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty so conspicuous as to distinguish himself clearly above his comrades in the performance of more than ordinary hazardous service.”
Cerbo said the award entitles the recipient to a monthly financial assistance.
He said the board is still looking into the “level of participation” of all 392 SAF troopers involved in the operation.
“The board is waiting for appropriate documents, including an operation report from the Special Action Force. Kailangan ding malaman kung ano ba ang tunay na nangyari sa Mamasapano clash,” he said.
“Hindi naman basta-basta ito binibigay, lalo na kung magre-recommend ka ng Medalya ng Kagitingan,” Cerbo pointed out.
When asked if resigned PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima and sacked Special Action Force (SAF) commander Director Getulio Napeñas would also be given awards for their participation, Cerbo just said it will be up to the board to decide.
“Nasa kanila iyon. Hindi natin matitiyak iyon,” he said.
Purisima was said to have been involved in the operation even though he was serving suspension at the time due to a graft case. —KBK, GMA News
