20 cops to get medals from NCRPO

Twenty Manila police officers will receive the “Medalya ng Kasanayan” (Medal of Efficiency) during this Monday’s flag-raising ceremony for solving the murder of Commission on Elections legal department head Alioden Dalaig last year and engaging six “Waray-Waray” rob gang members in a shootout in Tondo last April 23.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Geary Barias has approved Manila Police District director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales’ recommendation to grant the special award.

MPD homicide section head Chief Inspector Dominador Arevalo Jr., Senior Inspector Erwin Margarejo, Senior Police Officers 3 Danilo Vidad, Gener Presnedi and Eduardo Martinez, SPOs2 Richard Lumbad and Pedro Ballesterol Jr., PO3 Joseph Kabigting, POs2 Crispin Ocampo and Alfredo Mabutol Jr., and PO1 Ma. Senalice Nato will be cited for being “responsible for the identification and arrest of Police Officer 1 Basser Ampatuan, leading to the eventual solution of the Dalaig case.” The case is now being heard at the prosecutor’s office.

Meanwhile, Moriones police station chief Superintendent Jose Mario Espino and eight of his men will also receive medals for risking their lives during the shootout. Two civilians were also killed, while a bystander was wounded during the incident.

Senior Inspector Arnulfo Ibañez, Inspector Roberto Macabeo, SPOs1 Hector Gubatura, Edwin Harris and Eduardo Langcay, PO2 Roberto Benitez, POs1 Beverly Gasmen and Rodolfo Mayo Jr. are facing charges in connection with the shootout, which were filed as part of standard procedure, according to the MPD. — Nestor Etolle