Napolcom confirms special promotion for SAF cops in Mamasapano clash

MANILA, Philippines - The National Police Commission (Napolcom) yesterday confirmed the promotion of 29 Special Action Force commandos who survived the armed encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25.

Napolcom said the 29 SAF men were given special meritorious promotions for demonstrating acts of conspicuous courage and gallantry in action at the risk of their lives over and beyond the call of duty during the Mamasapano operation.

Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II, who also chairs Napolcom, said the commission approved the promotion of the 29 SAF troopers upon the recommendation of retired Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina.

“The courage displayed by these valiant police officers earned themselves not only the admiration of the members of the PNP but also of the people they had sworn to serve,” said Napolcom vice chairman Eduardo Escueta.

Escueta said the 29 operating personnel served warrants of arrest against bombmakers Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, and Basit Usman.

The 29 promoted SAF men include Sr. Insp. Rix Villareal, Insp. Recaredo Marasigan, SPO4 Bill Fernando Jumalon, SPO2 Hamidhan Tebbeng, SPO1 Allan Franco, SPO1 Ryan Temporada, SPO1 Reunaldo Tubog, PO3 Rommelo Magno, PO3 Darwin Rama, PO3 Arnil Ruiz, PO3 Albinar Samson and PO3 Juanito Yogyog.

Also promoted to the next rank were PO2 Solomon Agayso, PO2 Adolfo Andrada, PO2 Dioscoro Basanez, PO2 Carlos Bocaig, PO2 Ard Dulnuan, PO2 Christopher Lalan, PO2 Dominick Likingan, PO2 Jovalyn Lozano, PO2 Jose Mana-Ar Jr., PO2 Anson Posot, PO2 Warither Jay Rebucas, PO1 Clifford Agayyong, PO1 Victory Fernandez, PO1 John Mariel Galvo, PO1 Eugene Macasasa, PO1 Yaulamidin Reniedo and PO1 Jessie Surio.