(AFP/OFFICE OF SEN. RISA HONTIVEROS)
MANILA, Philippines — Police officers who rescued detained former senator Leila de Lima from a detainee who briefly held her hostage Sunday morning have been honored and awarded by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
During its flag-raising ceremony Monday morning, the PNP awarded the Medalya ng Kadakilaan to the following officers:
- P/Col. Mark Pespes, acting director, Headquarters Support Service
- P/Cpt. Michael Gobway, PNP Special Action Force
- P/Mst. Sgt. Denver Lou Ngo-oc, PNP Special Action Force
- P/Cpl. Marvint Banigon, PNP Special Action Force
- Pat. Lorenze Ian Matias, PNP Headquarters Support Service
- P/CMst. Sgt. Jimmy Ferrer, PNP Headquarters Support Service
- P/Cpl. Rizza Pagaduan, PNP Headquarters Support Service
“For note-worthy acts of heroism, duty during the successful rescue of Atty. Leila de Lima, who was held hostage by high-profile PUPCs (persons under PNP custody), which resulted in an armed encounter and neutralization of the three hostage-takers […] the Medalya ng Kadakilaan is proudly awarded to the Camp Commander, Col. Mark Pespes,” the program host said.
De Lima, detained at the PNP Custodial Center for drug-related charges, was taken hostage by detainee Feliciano Sulayao Jr., who, along with two other fellow detainees, tried to escape the facility.
The former senator, a staunch critic of the past administration, said that she felt that she was about to die because Sulayao told her that since his companions were dead, he might as well die in the custodial center and take de Lima with him.