Wounded CAR cop trainees cited for gallantry

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Philippines – The nine police trainees wounded in Friday’s ambush in Tadian town, Mt. Province were awarded the Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting for their bravery in fighting around 30 New People’s Army (NPA) guerillas.

Cordillera police director Chief Superintendent Benjamin Magalong, personally awarded the two policewomen and seven policemen who were recovering from gunshot and shrapnel wounds at the Luis Hora Regional Memorial Hospital over the weekend. 

Cited were Inspector Melinium Bantas and Police Officers 1 Alexander Dulnuan, Junete Ngalawen, Jasmine  Salve, Jefferson Sari, Edison Waguis, Mitchell Malubon, Pawas Daketan, and Robin Benito.

“We strongly condemn the desperate and treacherous action of the NPA under the Leonardo Pacsi Command in targeting our unarmed personnel who were simply doing their regular morning jogging routine,” Magalong said.

He said a pursuit operation against the rebels is ongoing in the boundaries of Abra, Mt. Province and Ilocos Sur.

At least 99 policemen and their instructors, who were undergoing a 45-day training in Sitio Kabunagan, were ambushed Friday morning by around 30 heavily armed NPA rebels.

Police Officer 1 Denver Balabag was killed in the attack.

Magno Udyaw, speaking for the NPA’s Mt. Province-based command, said the police trainees were legitimate targets since they are part of “a special unit of the PNP trained to focus in counter-insurgency and urban warfare tactics.”