Cebuano included: 2 of 44 commandos given Medal of Valor

CEBU, Philippines - Two of the 44 gallant members of the Special Action Force, including a Cebuano, were given the highest award yesterday during the anniversary of the botched Mamasapano operation one year ago.

The Police Regional Office-7 also honored the memories of the SAF 44 during the flag raising ceremony at the regional police headquarters.

PRO-7 director Chief Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan, vice chairman of the Special Awards and Promotions Board, said that Police Office 2 Romeo Cempron and Chief Inspector Gednat Garambas Tabdi deserved the PNP Medal of Valor which was posthumously conferred to them yesterday by President Benigno Aquino III during a ceremony in Camp Crame.

Gaerlan would have wanted to hold the awarding ceremony for Cempron and fellow Cebuano PO2 Windel Candano at the PRO-7 quadrangle but their families were not available because they were called to Manila to receive the award.  

The SAF 44 were given “upgraded” awards yesterday because what they earlier received was only an interim award pending validation.

“Cempron, he is a Me-dal of Valor awardee for protecting and helping PO2 Lala escape. Si Labid was promoted Chief Inspector posthumously, siya na ang nag boost ng moral, siya na ang nag-maneuver ng team niya,” Gaerlan said.

Gaerlan explained the delayed conferment of the awards, saying they need to observe the process.

“The grant is a long process, hindi ito basta binibigay. It entails a very tedious process, kailangan may witnesses so the board which I was a member interviews survivors and witnesses and they testified na ang dalawang ito ay deserved to be given medal of valor,” he said.

Being a member of the promotions board, he said that they have to interview the survivors and the witnesses who could testify for their extra-ordinary heroism.

“Kailangan exceptional and outstanding. It’s a very high award na hindi kayo makakuha na marami kayo, kailangan mag-excell kayo, Cempron stood out,” he added.

The SAF 44 were killed in action during the operation to arrest international terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir alias Marwan and Bassit Usman on January 25, 2015.

Palma on Mamasapano probe

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma has urged the members of Congress not to politicize the reopening of the investigation into the Mamasapano encounter.

Palma said the investigation should be in the spirit of ferreting out the truth and not use it as a venue to advance one’s political interest especially that election is coming.

“There are ways of looking at elections and we know that anything that is mixed with using the events as a way they can profit to their own benefit is not the best way,” said Palma.

He said while the church is now celebrating the 51st International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu, part of their prayer is that “the truth about the said issue will hopefully come out and justice will also be served.”

Palma said they are one with the families of the victims whom he assumes that are still in pain on the loss of their loved ones.

“In the share of mercies, siyempre we always rejoice with those who rejoice and cry with those who cry,” said Palma saying he personally experienced their grief when he, himself, also lost his younger brother, a captain in the Philippine Marines, who died in an ambush in Jolo several years ago.  (FREEMAN)