PNP chief awards medals to cops hurt in Maguindanao ambush

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 19, 2023): PNP chief awards medals to cops hurt in Maguindanao ambush (By Edwin Fernandez)

HEROES ALL. Philippine National Police chief, Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., pins a wounded personnel medal to one of the police officers injured in an ambush in Maguindanao del Sur province during his visit to the Sultan Kudarat provincial hospital on Monday (June 19, 2023). Acorda assures the sacrifices of the police officers will not be forgotten. (Photo courtesy of PNP)

ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat – Philippine National Police (PNA) chief, General Benjamin Acorda Jr., visited Monday the injured police officers here who survived the June 14 ambush in Shariff Aguak town, Maguindanao del Sur province.

Acorda was accompanied by Maguindanao del Sur Governor Bai Mariam Sangki Mangudadatu when he conferred posthumous awards and the “Medalya ng Kadakilaan” to the relatives of Patrolmen Saipoden Shiek Macacuna and Byan Polayagan who died in the ambush.

Acorda also conferred the “Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting” and “Medalya ng Kadakilaan,” to Police Master Sergeant Rey Vincent Gertos, Staff Sgt. Benjie Delos Reyes, and Patrolmen Abdulgapor Aliv and Arjie Val Loie Pabingit at the Sultan Kudarat provincial hospital here.

“Your sacrifices will be remembered; get well soon,” the PNP chief was heard telling the injured police officers of the Maguindanao Mobile Force Company.

Acorda also conferred the “Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting” to Special Action Force Cpl. Artchen Echavia, who was injured during a law enforcement operation in Datu Paglas town, Maguindanao del Sur on Sunday dawn that left seven suspected Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) rebels killed.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1203843