42 slain SAF troopers to get Medals of Valor

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has recommended the awarding of Medal of Valor (Medalya ng Kagitingan) to the 42 Special Action Force (SAF) troopers killed in the botched police operation against international terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir (Marwan) in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25, 2015.

The Medal of Valor, the highest Philippine National Police (PNP) award, was earlier given to only two SAF officers. A total of 44 SAF commandos were slain in the Mamasapano encounter.

Napolcom vice-chairman and executive officer Rogelio Casurao said they have endorsed the conferment of the award to the other 42 elite policemen, who were earlier awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal- Posthumous (Medalya ng Kabayanihan).

President Rodrigo Duterte had promised the families of the slain SAF commandos that he will give them the Medal of Valor.

“Despite being outnumbered, the 44 SAF commandos exhibited conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their lives above and beyond the call of duty which resulted in the successful neutralization of Zulkifli Bin Hir a.k.a Marwan and Basit Usman,” the Napolcom said in statement issued Tuesday.

Marwan was one of the most wanted terrorists and bomb makers in Southeast Asia, with a $5-million reward in the Rewards for Justice Program of the US Department of State and a P7.4-million bounty from the Philippine government.

Casurao said Medal of Valor awardees or their beneficiaries are entitled to a lifetime monthly pension of P20,000 with several incentives and special privileges.