SAF42 gets Medal of Valor, too

President Duterte yesterday approved the recommendation of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the National Police Commission (Napolcom) upgrading the Distinguished

Medal (Medalya ng Kabayahanihan) award given by the Philippine National Police (PNP) to 42 slain troops of the PNP Special Action Force (SAF) to the posthumous award of Medal of Valor (Medalya ng Kagitingan) pursuant to sections 14(m) and 69 of Republic Act 6975, the law establishing the PNP under a reorganized DILG.

The Medal of Valor, the highest military honor given to members of the Armed Forces and the PNP was awarded to members of the 84th Special Action Company (Seaborne), Rapid Deployment Battalion, the 55th Special Action Company, 5th Special Action Battalion PNP SDAF for “acts of conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life and limb above and beyond the call of duty” in implementing Oplan Exodus to neutralize Malaysian terrorist bomber Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan in Bgy. Tukanalipao, Mamasapano in Maguindanao on January 25, 2015.

Forty-four elite troops of the PNPSAF perished in the carnage but only two – Chief Insp. Gednat Tabdi and PO2 Romeo Cempron were posthumously awarded the Medal of Valor.

Meeting the family and relatives of the slain troopers, Duterte revealed there were petitions for him to honor the remaining 42 SAF troopers with the Medal of Valor and gave PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa until end of January to review the rules and the possibility of granting the award to the fallen troopers.

Aside from this, the President is also planning to declare a “day of remembrance” for the slain troopers who he lamented were left to die on the fields of Mamasapano in line of duty.

Duterte said the highest honor he can give the fallen elite troops was a Medal of Valor.

Awardees

The Medal of Valor will be awarded to Chief Inspectors Ryan Pabalinas, Max Jim Tria, John Garry Erana, Cyrus Anniban, Senior Inspectors Joey Gamutan and Rennie Lumasag Tayrus, SPO2 Lover Ladao Inocencio, SPO1 Rodrigo Fernandez Acob Jr., SPO1 Virgel Serion Villanueva, SPO1 Noel Onangey Golocan, SPO1 Andres Duque Jr., SPO1 Junrel Kibete, SPO1 Victoriano Acain Jr., SPO1 Robert Allaga, SPO1 Jedz-in Asjali, SPO1 John Lloyd Sumbilla;

PO3 Amman Esmula, PO3 Romeo Senin II, PO3 Chum Agabon, PO3 Glenn Bedua, PO3 Richelle Baluga, PO3 Noel Balaca Jr., PO3 Joel Dulnuan, PO3 Walner Danao, PO3 Godofredo Cabanlet, PO3 Franklin Danao, PO3 Jerry Kayob, PO3 Noble Kiangan, PO3 Ehraim Mejia, PO3 Omar Nacionales, PO3 Rodel Ramacula, PO3 Roger Cordero Cordero, PO3 Peterson Indongsan Carap, PO3 Nicky de Castro Nacino Jr.;

PO2 Russel Bilog, PO2 Windel Candano, PO2 Loreto Capinding II, Po2 Gringo Cayang-o, PO2 Mark Lory Clemencio, PO2 Joseph Sagonoy, PO2 Oliebeth Viernes and PO2 Angel Chocowen Kodiamat.

Since the award was given in 1935, there are only 40 valor awardees. Seventeen are still alive while five are in the active service.

Benefits

A Medal of Valor awardee, his/her widow/widower and/or dependents are entitled to the following benefits:

* Employment in government agencies or government-owned or controlled corporation, provided that the awardee or his/her dependent meet the job requirements;

* Priority in the approval of the awardee’s housing application under existing housing programs of the government;

* Priority in the acquisition of public lands under the Public Land. Act and preferential right in the lease of pasture lands and exploitation of natural resources;

* Privilege of obtaining loans in an aggregate amount not-exceeding R500,000 from government-owned or controlled financial institutions without having to put up any collateral or constitute any pledge or mortgage to secure the payment of the loan;

* 20 percent discount in all establishments relative to utilization of transportation services, hotels and similar lodging establishments, restaurants, recreation and sport centers and purchase of medicine anywhere in the country: Provided that private establishments may claim the cost as tax credits;

* 20 percent discount on admission fees charged by theaters, cinema houses, and concert halls, circuses, carnivals and other similar places of culture, leisure and amusement: Provided that aforementioned establishments may claim the cost as tax credits; and

* Free medical and dental services and consultation in hospitals and clinics anywhere in the country: Provided, that private hospitals and clinics may claim cost of services as tax credit. (With a report from Francis T. Wakefield)