Regional police director Silverio Alarcio Jr., accompanied by his directorial staff, personally pinned the medal to the policemen at the Chong Hua Hospital yesterday morning.
Aside from the medal, Alarcio said the National Police Commission and the Philippine National Police are also expected to give financial assistance to the injured policemen, adding that Napolcom would reimburse their hospital expenses.
Alarcio first gave the medal to PO3 Allan Magalso, a member of the Cebu City Traffic Division, who was shot by an unidentified person while issuing a citation ticket to a traffic violator along Katipunan Street, Labangon Tuesday evening.
Alarcio then pinned the medal to PO2 David Enterina and SPO1 Reynaldo Matillano, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group members who were shot by a drug dealer during a predawn buy-bust operation in Tayud, Liloan town.
Alarcio said that while his office is quick in imposing disciplinary actions against members who commit wrongdoings, it is also quick in bestowing awards for heroic acts to boost the moral of policemen so as to make them more effective in their duties.
He advised police personnel not to underestimate the subject of their operation to prevent any injury on the part of the law enforcers.
The regional police director also ordered a tight security around the hospital where the three policemen are now recuperating.
Magalso was shot in the back with the bullet exited from his stomach while Matillano sustained a gunshot wound to his abdomen. Enterina, on the other hand, was hit in the waist.
Matillano and Enterina were part of the CIDG team which was set to arrest suspected drug pusher Jayvee Miag-ao, a resident of barangay Cansaga, Consolacion town following a call from his alleged peddler, Dante Halang, to deliver five grams of shabu worth P45,000. - Gregg M. Rubio