Aquino leads PNP 110th Anniversary, awards cops for bravery

MANILA, Philippines – Not only did President Benigno Aquino III lead the Philippine National Police in celebrating its 110th year of services at Camp Crame, Quezon City Monday, he also called for the promotion of several police officers who have been noted for their courage.

Aquino awarded the Medalya ng Katapangan (Bravery Medal) to Police Senior Inspector Charity Galvez of Trento Municipal station in Agusan del Sur who was cited for her “conspicuous courage and gallantry in action” when she led her police force in fighting a large group of rebels last July 30.

Chief Inspector Allan Umipig , Chief of the District Intelligence Operation Unit (DIOU) of the Southern Police district, was also awarded with the Bravery Medal for fighting off a robbery hold-up gang in Parañaque last June 4.

Aquino also mentioned the courageousness of Police Officer 2 Eduardo Santiago who stood up against a hostage-taker in NLEX.

“Patunay kayo na hindi naglalaho ang propesyonalismo sa PNP [You are proof that there is professionalism in the PNP],” Aquino said.

The president congratulated the entire PNP for a job well done, particularly in the decrease of car theft cases.

Posthumous awards were also given to the widows of Senior Police Officer 2 Ricky Agwit and Senior Police Officer 2 Jeff Domingo of the Ifugao Police Provincial Office, who perished while rescuing villagers affected by a landslide which occurred at the height of tropical storm Juaning.

“Ang PNP ay ahensyang nangunuga sa lingkod bayan katumbas man nito ang kanilang sugatang katawan, pagpanaw ng kabaro sa serbisyo o maging sarli nilang buhay [The PNP leads in public service despite the perils associated with their work],” he said.