NOCPPO chief, 4 others get medals for neutralizing drug suspect

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines —  Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil, director of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO), and four other police officers in the province received medals for the neutralization and death of a suspected drug personality last month.

Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, Police Regional Office-6 regional director, on Monday conferred the Medalya ng Kagalingan each on Castil, Chief Inspectors Antonio Benitez and Benedict Poblete, Senior Inspector Joey Mara, and Senior Police Officer 1 Joelan Vinson, during the traditional flag raising ceremony at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City.

The PRO-6 gave the honors to Castil and the four other police officials for the neutralization of the police most-wanted fugitive and drug personality, identified as Charles Jason Javelosa, on June 8 at a subdivision at Barangay Mandalagan in Bacolod City.

Benitez, chief of the Himamaylan City Police, and Poblete led the police in serving the arrest warrant to Javelosa, who allegedly traded shots with them.

The slain Javelosa had arrest warrants for direct assault with attempted homicide, two counts of possession of illegal drugs, and possession of drugs paraphernalia, according to the police, adding that a .45-caliber pistol and shabu were recovered from Javelosa's possession.

Six other policemen were also conferred with the Medalya ng Kagalingan each for the arrest of a high value target drug personality identified as Radjie Prado at Barangay 4 in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental.

The medal recipients were Chief Inspector Jake Barila, Hinigaran Police chief, Chief Inspectors Rogelio Pacificar Jr., Lowell Garingganao, and Benedict Poblete, SPO2 Joenel Joey Samillano, and SPO1 Kent Monserate.

Last week, a policeman in AWOL status identified as PO3 Richard Dollosa, who allegedly involved in illegal drug activities, was also killed by his colleague during a buy-bust operation in Barangay 20, Bacolod City.

Bulalacao yesterday called on drug offenders not to put up a fight against authorities. "Its either the police or you will be killed. But since the police is always ready for any eventuality, the drug offenders usually end up as dead," the top PRO-6 official added.