Cop killed in Antipolo shootout gets posthumous award

SAN PEDRO CITY – The Philippine National Police honored a police officer killed in an anti-drug operation that also left two suspects dead in Antipolo City, Rizal.

Brigadier-General Edward Carranza, chief of the Calabarzon police, conferred the “Medalya ng Kadakilaan” to the family of Pat. Ariel Dapyawen on Wednesday afternoon.

Carranza also gave the “Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting” to Dapyawen’s colleague, PSSG Joseph Monjardin, who was wounded in the same operation.

Dapyawen and Monjardin were among the Antipolo police who led Tuesday night’s buy-bust operation against brothers Ranie and Celeste Lajota in Barangay de la Paz.

Carranza, in a statement, said the siblings were members of the Lego group, who was involved in the illegal drugs trade and contract killings in the province.

Ranie also faced two cases for the murder of Cary Banzuela on April 20 and of Ban Hallen Gabanes on February 18.

According to the police report, the suspects after the drug sale ran back to their home to get their guns and began to open fire.

The police back-up team returned fire and instantly killed Celeste, while Ranie tried to escape but pursuing policemen cornered him in the same village.

Monjardin, who remained in the hospital, was already in a “stable condition,” Carranza said. Maricar Cinco