Four cops get honors for work

CEBU, Philippines - Four policemen, including the station commander of the Boljoon Police Station, were awarded the “Medalya ng Kagalingan” yesterday for their efforts against an armed group in the town.

Recipients of the award include Insp. Dexter Basirgo who was wounded during a follow-up operation against the Salonoy-Gañolon-Coronel armed group in Barangay San Antonio, Boljoon; SPO3 Rogelio Fernandez, PO2 Rogelio Sinajon and PO1 Vincent Arboladora.

Governor Hilario Davide III himself pinned the medal on the policemen together with Police Regional Office 7 Director, Chief Supt. Prudencio Tom Bañas, and Provincial Police Office Director, Senior Supt. Noel Gillamac.

Davide, in his speech, said he admires the courage shown by the police offi-cers, which led to the arrest of 10 people and the death of at least three others.

“I congratulate you for your gallantry and for your service in the province. Talagsaon kaayo ning naa tay mga police nga kasaligan gayud. I admire your courage in line of duty labi na tong nahitabo sa Dalaguete ug sa Alcoy ug sa Boljoon,” Davide said.

Bañas conferred the “Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting” or the PNP Wounded Medal to Inspector Dexter Basirgo, chief of Boljoon Police Station, at his hospital bed last month.

Basirgo sustained gunshot wounds to his left arm and left leg after he was shot by gang member Arnel Coronel whom he managed to also shoot and eventually kill.

Coronel was reportedly one of the remnants of a criminal gang led by Jojo Gañolon who was killed by the combined forces of the Regional Intelligence Division, Provincial Intelligence Branch and Alcoy and Dalaguete police.

Jojo Gañolon, Jaylhone Mercado, and Lorenzo Coronel were killed in a shootout with joint operatives of the Police Regional Office-7 and the Cebu Provincial Police Office last October 19, 2014 after they served 11 warrants of arrest in Barangay Nug-as, Alcoy and Barangay Nalhub, Dalaguete.

Police operatives seized assorted firearms from the suspects, including two units of KG9 pistol, five .45 caliber pistols, seven .38 caliber revolvers, two .380 caliber revolvers, two fragmentation grenades, several magazines and rounds of ammunition.

The police also reco-vered a bundle of dried marijuana and several packs of suspected shabu with undetermined value and P15,000 cash.  (FREEMAN)