PNP: Awards for SAF men just delayed

Video by Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net

The Philippine National Police justified the exclusion of two Special Action Force commandos involved in the Mamasapano operation from the list of awardees during the 114th police service anniversary attended by President Benigno Aquino III on Friday.

In a statement issued just hours after the ceremony, the PNP said the “proposed” awards to be given to PO2 Romeo Cempron and Superintendent Raymund Train needed to be studied thoroughly as they will be given two of the highest service medals that can be bestowed to any police and military official.

READ: SAF men removed from PNP awards list

“We also initially intended to honor the courage and sacrifice displayed by some of those involved in ‘Oplan Exodus’ which was the reason why the Committee on Individual Awards chaired by the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management deliberated and processed some of those who participated in the operations,” Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor, PNP spokesperson, read in a press briefing.

“However, it requires lengthy process and a thorough evaluation for which reason the review could not be completed on time despite our best efforts. For these reasons, these awards were not included in the program today,” the statement said.

This was after INQUIRER.net reported that Malacañang allegedly ordered removed Cempron and Train from the list of officers to be conferred with Medal of Valor (Medalya ng Kagitingan) and Medalya ng Kabayanihan (PNP Distinguished Conduct Medal), respectively, based on the memorandum on the “Result of the Selection of Awardees” from the PNP Directorate for Plans.

A source said because the President reportedly did not want a reminder of the ill-fated operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last January 25, the Presidential Management Staff ordered the PNP to take out awardees involved in the Mamasapano incident from the awarding ceremony in Camp Crame on Friday morning.

Days before the PNP anniversary, another SAF source said Cempron’s family had been invited by the PNP in the ceremony to accept the award for the slain officer. But on Tuesday, the SAF was told that the awarding of Cempron had been called off.

“Rest assured that the deliberation and vetting process by the committee are ongoing and shall render the honor due them at the most appropriate time,” the statement further read. IDL

Pictures of the slain PNP SAF killed in an alleged “misencounter” with MILF and BIFF in Mamasapano,Maguindanao displayed outside the gates of Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/RAFFY LERMA