MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) is not only studying to award Medal of Valor (Medalya ng Kagitingan) to the 44 slain Special Action Force (SAF) commandos but also those who participated in the operations in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo said that right after the Mamasapano operations last January 25, the Special Promotions and Award Deliberations Board (SPADB) has been deliberating and evaluating on what award or recognition to be given to the SAF troopers.
"Yung deliberation ng board is continuing. Hindi lang yung namatay pero yung wounded at survivors," Cerbo told a press conference in Camp Crame,Quezon City.
He added that the SPADB will determine the level of participation of all the 392 SAF commandos in the operation which also led to the killing of of Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as Marwan.
Asked if sacked SAF director Getulio Napenas Jr. and resigned PNP chief Alan Purisima will also be given recognition for their participation in the Mamasapano operation, Cerbo merely quipped , "It's up to them."
"Hindi basta-basta binibigay ito (Medal of Valor)...Ibinibigay po namin sa kanila ang nararapat," he said.