16 cops cited for heroism

THE PHILIPPINE National Police on Monday gave out awards to the 15 policemen who rescued a businesswoman who had been abducted in Bulacan as well as to the Navotas policewoman who foiled a bus robbery in Quezon City, both of which happened last week.

PNP Director General Ricardo Marquez led the awarding ceremonies in Camp Crame for the 15 members of the joint Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) and San Rafael, Bulacan, police team who each received the “Medalya ng Kadakilaan” for their rescue of a businesswoman identified only as “Rachelle” on Dec. 2 and the arrest of her abductors.

“Investigation being conducted by AKG shows that there is a person of interest who is a politician involved in this kidnapping incident,” AKG chief Senior Supt. Roberto Fajardo said.

Cited were AKG Luzon field unit chief Supt. Rodolfo D. Castil, San Rafael police team leader Supt. Orlando L. Castil Jr., Chief Insp. Joel P. Ceballos, Chief Insp. Leo L. Osea, Senior Insp. Leo M. Canuel, SPO3 Randy T. Pote, SPO2 Reynaldo T. Curampez, SPO2 Domingo C. Robles, SPO2 Noli C. Falguera, SPO1 Linburge C. Sayap, SPO1 Rodney T. Rapiñan, SPO1 Roel M. Andal, PO3 Juanito C. Cabradilla, PO3 Joven A. Janairo and PO3 Arnold P. Aromin.

Marquez also awarded the Medalya ng Kagalingan to Navotas PO1 Judy Ann Dizon de Villa. The 24-year-old De Villa became an online sensation after her heroic single-handed foiling of an armed robbery on a commuter bus on Edsa went viral.

De Villa, a passenger on the bus, shot one of the suspects.