The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) has recommended
the conferment of the Philippine National Police (PNP) highest award on two of
the 45 Special Action Force (SAF) troopers who figured in a police operation in
Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25, 2015.
Recommended to President Benigno S. Aquino III for the
conferment of the PNP Medal of Valor–Posthumous (Medalya ng Kagitingan) were
PCINSP Gednat G. Tabdi and PO2 Romeo C. Cempron for conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of their lives above and beyond the call of duty.
Conferred the PNP Distinguished Conduct Medal or Medalya ng
Kabayanihan (posthumous) were the 42 SAF troopers. The same medal was also
conferred on PSUPT Raymund A. Train who served as the team leader of OPLAN
EXODUS that served the warrants of arrest against Zulkifli Bin Hir a.k.a.
Marwan and Basit Usman.
This was announced by Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG) Secretary and NAPOLCOM Chairman Mel Senen S. Sarmiento after
the Commission en banc issued on November 25, 2015 three (3) resolutions: No.
2015-600, No. 2015-599, and No. 2015-60.
NAPOLCOM Vice-Chairman and Executive Officer Eduardo U.
Escueta said that PCINSP Tabdi was the team leader of Team 1 of the Main Effort
1, 84th Special Action Company during the implementation of OPLAN EXODUS and
served as the navigator and point man in piercing and cutting through the enemy
envelopments that led him and the operating teams out of annihilation. Although
wounded, weakened and dehydrated in the daylong firefights, he prepared and led
his troops for the showdown against the overwhelming odds that marked his
gallant stand as a SAF trooper. His leadership, courage and gallantry had
inspired the troopers to hack it out with the overwhelming enemy to accomplish
the mission.
PO2 Cempron, on the other hand, served as the lead gunner of
the Main Effort 2, 55th Special Action Company and secured the arresting teams
of Marwan and Usman. While his team of 36 SAF commandos was being bombarded by
the enemies in the cornfields of Sitio Tukanalipao, and without proper cover,
PO2 Cempron bravely fought and made his last stand until he ran out of
ammunition. He fought and stood his ground at the battlefield for five (5)
hours knowing full well that the SAF was already outnumbered and with only a
few of the team members surviving. At the last moment of his life, when escape
could be possible, PO2 Cempron decided, instead, to help facilitate the escape
of PO2 Christopher I. Lalan by using his body as a diversion for snipers so
that the latter can run away from the enemies.
“The NAPOLCOM takes cognizance of the outstanding
accomplishments of these SAF troopers. These heroes will always be remembered
and their sacrifice will never be forgotten. The SAF 44 did not die in vain,
but showed the highest form of sacrifice for our safety and for our country,”
Escueta said.
Vice-Chairman Escueta said that the qualified children of
awardees of PNP Medal of Valor and PNP Distinguished Conduct Medal shall be
granted educational scholarship under the Reward Education Assistance Program
(REAP) of the PNP.
Medal of Valor awardees are likewise entitled to several incentives
and special privileges under Republic Act No. 9049 (An Act Granting Monthly
Gratuity and Privileges to an Awardee of Medal of Valor). Awardees are entitled
to a lifetime monthly pension of twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00). In the
event of death of the awardee, the same shall accrue in equal shares and with
the right of accretion to the surviving spouse until she remarries and to the
legitimate, adopted or illegitimate children until they reach the age of 18 or
until they marry, whichever comes earlier.
Among the benefits already received by the 44 SAF troopers
from the NAPOLCOM were one-rank posthumous promotion, gratuity and pension for
their families, and NAPOLCOM scholarship grant for their children.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=845956
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