Cop hurt in encounter with NPA in Mt. Province gets PNP medal

Corporal Eirphil Lapniten gives PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde a snappy salute after receiving the PNP award. INQUIRER.net photo / Cathrine Gonzales

BENGUET, Philippines — The policeman who was wounded in an encounter with the New People’s Army (NPA) in Mountain Province received on Saturday the Wounded Personnel Medal (Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting) from the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Corporal Eirphil Lapniten, who was recuperating at the Benguet General Hospital, shed tears as PNP chief General Oscar Albayalde conferred on him the medal for putting his life on the line during the gunfight with the rebels.

“‘Yun ang binibigay natin kapag meron tayong personnel na nasusugatan, although meron pa naman siyang pwedeng makuha na award,” Albayalde told reporters.

Depending on the recommendation of his commander, Albayalde said Lapniten may also be given meritorious promotion that will earn him the rank of Staff Sergeant.

WATCH: Police Corporal Eirphil Lapniten shed tears as he received from PNP chief Gen. Albayalde the Wounded Personnel Medal at Benguet General Hospital. Lapniten sustained injuries during an encounter with NPA rebels in Mountain Province. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/JrK0nVz8Ks

— Cathrine Gonzales (@CGonzalesINQ) March 30, 2019

Aside from the medal, Lapniten also received an initial P50,000 cash assistance from the Office of the PNP chief.

Lapniten suffered an injury in his left neck during the firefight between 1502nd Mobile Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-15 and around 20 NPA rebels in Barangay (village) Bagnen Proper in the municipality of Bauko on Friday.

The operation was initiated by the government forces, but Albayalde said the police personnel were  caught in a “surprise meeting engagement.”

Patrolman Wilfredo Bongotan Padawil who was also in the firefight died as he was being rushed to Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital. He will be given posthumous promotion that will earn him the rank of Corporal.

READ: Albayalde condoles with family of cop slain in clash with NPA 

“Buong kapulisan ay pinapaabot po ang pakikiramay at alam po namin na isang bayani itong pulis na ito. Binuwis ang kanyang buhay para sa kalayaan at para sa taongbayan,” Albayalde said of Padawil.

Albayalde is also set to visit the wake of the slain policeman in the municipality of Sagada on Sunday.

He said the police have launched a follow-up operation against the NPA rebels who were involved in the said encounter. The Philippine Army has also sent reinforcement to the PNP. /jpv