PNP to secure posthumous award for cop

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) will seek posthumous recognition for a policeman who died after rescuing two Bantay Dagat members who were swept away by a strong river current in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental last week.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the family of M/Sgt. Fernando Marfa would receive the assistance and benefits due to an officer who died in the line of duty.

Marfa, 40, was a member of the Cadiz component city police station. He was on a seaborne patrol mission in Sitio Bisang, Barangay Luna on Aug. 7 when two Bantay Dagat members were swept away while crossing a river.

Seeing the two, Marfa jumped into the river and rescued both men.

However, he was swept downstream and found only after an hour of search. Responders rushed him to the Cadiz District Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.