8 wounded cops in Lanao del Sur clash with MILF get PNP medal

PRO-ARMM director Brig. Gen. Graciano Mijares confers the PNP Wounded Personnel Medal to a policeman injured in a clash with members of the MILF in Lanao del Sur on Thursday, April 4, 2019. Photo from PRO-ARMM

MANILA, Philippines — The eight police officers injured during a clash with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Madamba, Lanao del Sur have been awarded the Wounded Personnel Medal by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Brig. Gen. Graciano Mijares, director of the Police Regional Office in Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (PRO-ARMM), awarded the medals on Thursday at the Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi City, where the police officers are recuperating from their injuries.

The PRO-ARMM said Friday the medals were awarded to the police officers “in recognition of their outstanding gallantry” during the April 4 operation that left four murder suspects dead.

READ: 4 dead, 8 hurt, one missing as police, MILF clash in Lanao del Sur

PRO-ARMM director Brig. Gen. Graciano Mijares confers the PNP Wounded Personnel Medal to a policeman injured in a clash with members of the MILF in Lanao del Sur on Thursday, April 4, 2019. Photo from PRO-ARMM

Those given the medals were Captains Glen Lyca Gevero and Mark Harry A. Boglosa; Senior Master Sergeant Marlon P. Panitan; Staff Sergeants Magno O. Olete and Nino O Cadano; Corporals Ronald T Rosco and Omar Masakal; and Patrolman Arnel A. Montallana.

During his visit to the hospital, Mijares also provided cash assistance to the wounded personnel.

Authorities are still searching for Corporal Gilbert Males, who reportedly went missing during the intense gunfight, according to police.

Mijares had also ordered all police officers in the region to be on heightened alert, initiate appropriate security measures to prevent similar incidents, and guarantee the safety of locals in remote villages. /kga