BARMM police bestow ‘Medalya ng Kadakilaan’ to slain police captain

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

COTABATO CITY – The Police Regional Office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO-BAR) on Sunday bestowed a posthumous award to the late Police Capt. Roland Suarez Moralde, the police officer killed by fellow policemen while disarming an armed man inside the Parang public market on Thursday, May 2

Brig. Gen. Prexy Tanggawohn, BARMM police regional director, said the regional police force honored Moralde, the administrative officer of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB-14) based in Camp SK Pendatun, for his exceptional bravery and service to the country.

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Tanggawohn presented the “Medalya ng Kadakilaan” to Moralde’s wife inside Camp SK Pendatun, the home of PRO-BAR in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte.

Moralde was doing some marketing chores on Thursday, May 2, inside the Poblacion 1 public market of Parang town when he noticed a man who had a gun tucked in his waist. He approached the man, but the latter fought back, triggering a firefight.

Major Christopher Cabugwang, Parang town police chief, identified the gunman as Mohiden Untal, who was killed during the firefight.

Untal’s relatives, three of them policemen in civilian clothes, however, also shot Moralde as the latter was getting out of the area.

“This is very unfortunate because the suspects in killing Moralde are also his comrades,” Cabugwang said. Two of the policemen already voluntarily surrendered.

“Medalya ng Kadakilaan” is the recognition given by the Philippine National Police (PNP) to members of the police force who showed courage and sacrifice and service that went beyond the call of duty.

Moralde’s family also received financial assistance from the PNP and Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund Incorporated (PSMBFI).

“As the PNP reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding the community, the awarding of the Medalya ng Kadakilaan serves as a poignant acknowledgment for the bravery and selflessness exemplified by our uniformed heroes,” Tangawohn said.

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The men and women of PRO-BAR also held necrological services for Moralde on Sunday to remember his life and services for the PNP and the country.

Colonel Julius S. Ordono, PRO-BAR deputy director for operations, and Lt. Colonel Argel Ancheta, RMFB-13 force commander, his classmates and batchmates joined the services.

“Colleagues and friends gather to pay their final respects, cherishing his legacy of selflessness and bravery, which continues to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing him,” Tanggawohn said.