Ten police officers from the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LLCPO) received the PNP Medal of Merit for capturing one of the city’s most wanted men in a short program Friday morning at the LLCPO headquarters.
Police Director-General Allan Purisima, assisted by Mayor Paz Radaza and Police Regional Director Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo, pinned the medals on Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas, Insp. Conrado Manatad, SPO1 Nonilo Estonilo, PO1s Rey Adriaque, Stevenson Zozobrado and Ceasar Vincent Figuracion, and PO2s Rect Muldez, Samuel Evalle, Boots Christopher Tanghal, Regidor Bering and Wilson Malnegro.
Last Dec. 26, the Lapu-Lapu City police arrested Demetrio Malingin in sitio Mahayahay, barangay Bangkal.
The policemen were about to serve the arrest warrant for two counts of murder and attempted murder against Malingin when the city’s no. 3 most wanted person, who was wearing bullet proof vest and holding two .45 caliber pistols in both hands, engaged them in a shootout to elude arrest.
The policemen shot Malingin in the ankle to disable him, leading to his arrest.
Police officials confiscated from Malingin two .45 caliber pistols, 10 sachets of shabu with a total weight of ten grams and P16,500 cash.
Chief Insp. Manatad said he was very much privileged that the highest official in the PNP, Allan Purisima himself pinned the Medal of Merit award on.
“Nagpasalamat kaayo ko og dako sa among City Director ug sa akong mga sakop sa ilang kaisog (I’m very thankful to our city police director and to my men for their bravery),” said Manatad in an interview. /CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA