PNP chief says: Medal of Valor for Cempron in due time

CEBU, Philippines - Police Officer 2 Romeo Cempron, one of the 44 Special Action Force commandos killed in the Mamasapano operation, will receive Philippine National Police’s highest award in due time, says the PNP chief himself.

“Mapapa sa kanya rin iyon (Medal of Valor). It will just be a matter of time,” said PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez during his visit in Cebu yesterday.

Cempron, a native of Consolacion, Cebu, was dropped from the list of awardees during the 114th service anniversary of PNP early this month.

His wife, Doctor Christine Cempron, expressed disappointment after finding out that her husband’s name had been dropped from the list of those who were to receive the Medal of Valor.

Marquez explained that the Medal of Valor is the highest form of award in the PNP and it takes a long process and thorough assessment before this is awarded to a police officer.

“So that, number one, we could make sure na ‘yun lang mabigyan ang dapat mabigyan. Kasi ‘pag mabibigyan ang di nararapat, madi-diminish ang value ng award,” said Marquez.

According to the Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, the Medal of Valor is only given to any member of the PNP who has performed “a deed of personal bravery and self-sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty so conspicuous as to distinguish himself clearly above his comrades in the performance of more than ordinary hazardous service.”

To keep the prestige of the award, Marquez said they have to make sure awardees deserve to receive it.

“Hindi na maganda na namatay ‘yung ating gallant 44 tapos ‘yung award ay mababahiran pa. That would be unfair to them (44 SAF members),” he said.

He said they will make the process “as thorough, as complete, as comprehensive, and as required by the regulations.”

“They say na hindi pa namin sila na re-recognize? No. We have in record time recognized their heroism,” said Marquez.

In fact, the 44 SAF commandos were already given interim award or temporary medal which is equivalent to Medal of Bravery, the PNP chief said.

“We want to elevate it into the highest form of award,” he said.

“I will make sure na in due time, maa-award-an iyong ating mga deserving gallant SAF 44,” he added. — Ma. Fatima R.Secuya/NSA (FREEMAN)