Lacson exalts ‘selfless act’ of cop who shielded students from grenade blast

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Panfilo Lacson on Monday filed a Senate resolution, commending and exalting the “selfless act” of Police Senior Master Sergeant Jason Magno, who died by shielding students from a grenade explosion in Misamis Oriental.

Lacson, a former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), commended and exalted Magno for showing “extraordinary bravery, heroism and instinct” to fulfill his sworn duty.

“Whereas, this selfless act of Police Master Sergeant Jason Magno should be emulated and recognized not only by the Philippine National Police but by the entire country,” Lacson said in Senate Resolution No. 229.

“Had it not been for his bravery, heroism, and instinct to save lives, students, teachers, as well as his fellow policemen would have perished on that fateful day,” he added.

Magno, a trained explosives and ordnance disposal specialist, was among the first responders when a man wielding a bladed weapon and grenade entered the Initao College campus in Barangay Jampason, Misamis Oriental.

Magno and the suspect wrestled for the grenade, but the latter had already pulled its safety pin and threw it to the ground.

This prompted Magno to “embrace” the grenade with his body, killing him instantly but preventing further fatalities.

Sixteen people, including the suspect, were  injured in the blast.

Lacson further noted that Magno, who entered the police force in 2000, had received various medals from the PNP such as the Medalya ng Kagalingan, Medalya ng Kasanayan,  Medalya ng Papuri, Medalya ng Paglilingkod sa Mindanao, and  Medalya ng Paglaban sa Manliligalig.

President Rodrigo Duterte had also earlier conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu Magalong Medal and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Medal of Valor to Magno.