Cop couple to be cited for ‘heroic act’

The commendation for the “heroic act” of a police couple who were wounded after they figured in a shootout with motorcycle-riding men in Manila may be awarded to them on Monday, a police official said.

Chief Supt. Antonio Decano, NPD director, told the Inquirer over the phone that the document that recommends that SPO1 Jerome Jalla of the District Public Safety Battalion, and his wife, SPO1 Julie Jalla of the District Police Community Relations, be recognized was already “routing” among high-ranking district officials and could be on his desk for approval before Dec. 12.

Should this be the case, the NPD director said that the commendation for the couple’s heroism would be officially given to them early this week.

“(The proposal) is as good as approved. I’m just waiting for it,” Decano said.

Asked if they had already recommended to the Philippine National Police leadership that the couple be awarded with medals for their bravery, he said that this would take place at the soonest possible time.

On Dec. 3, the Jallas were off-duty when they were wounded by three men riding a motorcycle in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

The couple were in their vehicle with Jerome behind the wheel when a motorcycle abruptly stopped in front of them, a police report said.

According to the Jallas, they became suspicious because the men seemed hesitant to pass through a checkpoint set up by the Manila police nearby.

Jerome confronted the men and introduced himself as a policeman, but two of them suddenly pulled out firearms—an Uzi submachine gun and a pistol—and fired at him.

Jerome, however, managed to return to his car to get his handgun, while Julie got hers. The armed men strafed the couple’s vehicle, subsequently hitting Jerome in the right forearm, and his wife in the left.

Despite their injuries, the Jallas fired back at their assailants, but the latter escaped.

On Tuesday, Jerome was released from the Chinese General Hospital in Manila, where he underwent treatment.

But his wife, police said, remains in confinement but is already in stable condition.

Asked when Jerome could report back for work, Senior Supt. Bernardo Tambaoan, head of the DPSB, said they would wait until his gunshot wound has completely healed. This might take weeks, he added.