Albayalde confers posthumous medal on slain rookie cop

The Philippine National Police conferred on Friday a posthumous medal on a rookie policeman killed during an antinarcotics operation in Nueva Ecija early this week. PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde visited the wake of Police Officer 1 Mariano Emmanuel Caparas of the General Tinio town police and conferred on him the Medalya ng Kadakilaan in recognition of his “heroism and bravery.” The award qualifies Caparas’ family for additional financial assistance. Caparas took a bullet in the chest after the subject of a police drug sting in Barangay Pias allegedly fought back. Police said the suspect, identified only as “Abet,” reportedly opened fire when he realized that he had been caught in an entrapment operation. The suspect was allegedly killed by the other policemen.—