Duterte honors 3 cops slain in Camarines Sur ambush

President Rodrigo Duterte went to Naga City on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, to posthumously confer the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the Rank of Kalasag to the three police officers slain by suspected communits rebels in Lupi town, Camarines Sur. (Photo by STEPHANIE FLORIDA / Inquirer Southern Luzon)

NAGA CITY – President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, Oct. 23, posthumously conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the Rank of Kalasag to the three police officers who were killed by suspected New People’s Army rebels, while providing security escort in Lupi, Camarines Sur last Thursday, Oct. 18.

The three officers — SPO1 Percival Rafael, PO3 Carlito Navarroza, and PO1 Ralph Jason Vid — were killed while escorting Food and Drug Administration chief Nela Charade Puno, who was to attend a consumer event in Daet, Camarines Norte.

The award is given to persons who lost their lives as a direct result of their participation in an activity pursuant to a campaign or advocacy of the President.

The President expressed sympathy and handed financial assistance to the family of Vida, whose wake is at the multipurpose hall of the Camarines Sur police office here; and to the widows of Rafael and Navarroza, who were also at the venue when the president arrived.

The President did not make any statement and only talked with the families of the slain officers privately.

The President was with Puno; Special Assisant Christopher Go; and Director General Oscar Albayalde, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP). /atm