Calabarzon cop hurt in ARMM polls gets award

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna , Philippines  â€“ A rookie policeman from the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) region was awarded the Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting (Wounded Personnel Medal) yesterday after he was hit by a stray bullet while serving as a member of the Special Board of Election Tellers (SBET) in the barangay elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Police Officer 1 Wilfredo Cupido was one of 261 policemen from the region dispatched to serve as peacekeepers and SBETs in ARMM on Oct. 28, according to Chief Superintendent Jesus Gatchalian, Calabarzon police director.

Cupido was rushed to the hospital after he was hit by a stray bullet. The incident is still being investigated by the Mindanao police.

“I commend all of you for your selflessness and devotion, performing our mandate to serve and protest the community with the highest degree of professionalism, competence and excellence in the name of peace and service. What you have shown there in ARMM is indeed a source of pride and inspiration to all of us,” Gatchalian said.

Aside from Cupido, at least 18 police officers were given the Medalya ng Papuri (Commendation Medal) and 243 members of the Special Action Force received commendations.

The 261 policemen returned to Calabarzon on Friday.