President Benigno S. Aquino III presents the Medalya ng Katapangan to the family of the fallen Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) Troopers during the Necrological Service at the NCRPO Multi-Purpose Center of Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City on Friday (January 30, 2015). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
MANILA, Philippines—The 44 fallen Special Action Force (SAF) troopers and the surviving commandos qualified for the Bravery Medal (Medalya ng Katapangan), according to Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr.
The Bravery Medal, which comes with no monetary renumeration but is considered one of the highest honors a policeman can receive in his career, requires “gallantry in action” not warranting the Medal of Valor or the Distinguished Conduct Medal, the two highest awards in the PNP, according to a Memorandum Circular issued by the National Police Commission (Napolcom).
“To qualify for the Bravery Medal, the enemy force must be superior than the police personnel, or the enemy must be superior than the government troops during the actual combat by at least eight but not more than 20 combatants,” the Napolcom memo said.
Above and beyond
According to Republic Act No. 6975, also known as the DILG Act of 1990 which establishes an “incentives and awards system” in the PNP, the highest award, the Medal of Valor (Medalya ng Kagitingan), is given to policemen who exhibited “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life and limb above and beyond the call of duty.”
“In order to justify this award, a member of the PNP must perform in action a deed of personal bravery and self-sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty so conspicuous as to distinguish himself clearly above his comrades in the performance of more than ordinary hazardous service,” RA 6975 said.
It added: “In case of actual combat with armed enemies, this award may be given only if the enemy force is so overwhelming as compared to the government troops.”
The Medalya ng Kabayanihan (PNP Distinguished Conduct Medal) is given for acts of conspicuous courage and gallantry in the face of an armed enemy in a combat situation, wherein the enemy force is superior than the government troops by at least 21 combatants; act or acts of heroism so notable and involving risk of life so extraordinary as to set him apart from his comrades, and operational accomplishment not warranting the Medalya ng Kagitingan. Inquirer Research; with a report from Julie M. Aurelio
Sources: gov.ph, napolcom.gov.ph