SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union– Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has given the Medalya ng Kadakilan (Heroism Medal) to the director of Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) during the PNP’s 26th foundation anniversary Thursday at Camp Florendo here for his vital role in the arrest of Ronnie Dayan, alleged lover of Senator Leila De Lima, on Nov. 22, 2016 in San Juan, La Union.
Bato commended Chief Superintendent Gregorio Pimentel, PRO1 regional director, for being the over-all in charge during the conduct of month-long intelligence gathering and manhunt operations that resulted to the arrest of Dayan, also the former driver of De Lima.
Senior Supt. Leo Francisco, La Union police director, also received the same Medal for his role in supervising the operation while the operating troops were already cited earlier for their job in arresting Dayan who hides for several months in Barangay Lacung, San Gabriel, La Union.
Dayan went into hiding, as allegedly advised by De Lima, after he was cited for contempt by the House of Representatives for snubbing the invitation of the Committee on Dangerous Drugs.
Aside from Pimentel and Francisco, also cited during the PNP anniversary are policemen involved in anti-drug operations, disaster management, neutralization of robbery suspects, and those who served as security during the Miss Universe event in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur recently.
Chief Inspector Bernard Pagaduan, the chief intelligence officer of La Union, Senior Inspector Juan Jhayar Maggay, former Tubao town police chief, and PO2 Ryan Ponce, all received the Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting (Wounded Personnel Medal) for their gallantry in the performance of their duties during the implementation of warrant of arrest on Jan. 2, 2017 at Barangay Cacamilingan, Camiling, Tarlac against Enrico Magarde, a high value target and number four in the wanted list of La Union police.
The three policemen were wounded when Magarde fired at them while they were about to serve the warrant. The suspect was killed after the troops shot back at him.
Awarded with Medalya ng Papuri (Medal of Commendation) are Supt. Cirilo Acosta Jr., Chief Inspector Dennis Ballitoc, PO3 Benjamin De Leon and PO3 Edurado Rivera for their exemplary performance during the simultaneous implementation of search warrant on Nov. 10, 2016 in Bayambang, Pangasinan that resulted to the arrest of seven local official, all high value targets in the illegal drug campaign.
Chief Inspector Dave Mahilum, SPO2 Abraham Cabana, PO3 Manuel Clores and PO2 Michael Orte, all received the Medalya ng Kagalingan (Medal of Merit) for neutralizing four robbery hold-up suspects during a hot pursuit in Manaoag, Pangasinan on Oct. 14, 2016.
Sr. Supt. Jose Melencio Nartates Jr, Ilocos Norte police director, and 587 other policemen who were involved in the ‘disaster incident management task group’ were awarded with Medalya ng Pagtulong sa Nasalanta (Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Medal) for recording zero casualty during the onslaught of Typhoon Lawin in Ilocos Norte which experienced Signal No. 5.
Sr. Supt. Rey de Peralta, Ilocos Sur police director, and 772 other policemen who served as security personnel during the event of Miss Universe in Vigan City were given the Medalya ng Papuri (Commendation Medal) for peacefully and orderly conduct of the event.
Chief Inspector Joseph Adornado Santos and five other personnel of the Explosive and Ordnance Disposal Unit also received the Medalya ng Papuri for their role in the Miss Universe event.
By Dexter A. See
