SAF trooper involved in Mamasapano raid honored

MANILA, Philippines - While the Philippine National Police (PNP) has yet to decide on awards for the Special Action Force (SAF) commandos involved in the fatal operations in Maguindanao, a survivor was named one of 10 outstanding police officers for his role in the Zamboanga City siege in 2013.

Police Office 2 Adolfo Andrada ranked fifth among the top 10 of the country’s outstanding police officers in service (COPS) for 2015 that was presented by the Metrobank Foundation Inc. (MBFI) and the Rotary Club of New Manila East.

Andrada stood out among 160,000 policemen for his contribution in counterterrorist missions, including the arrest of 143 members of the Moro National Liberation Front and rescue of 13 hostages during the Zamboanga siege when Muslim rebels attacked the city in September 2013.

“I want to serve as an inspiration to my colleagues and motivate them to do what is good in the eyes of their family, co-workers and in the eyes of God,” said Andrada, who claimed he was one of the members of the 84th SAF Company that stormed the hut of Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, in Barangay Pidsandawan in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Jan. 25.

Andrada said he also dedicated his award to his colleagues but was careful not to make any comment on the awards for the 44 SAF commandos killed in Mamasapano.

“There is a committee handling the matter,” he said.

Critics have assailed President Aquino for not mentioning the SAF troopers’ heroism in his last State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27.

A week later, Vice President Jejomar Binay delivered his counter-SONA in Cavite and hailed the sacrifice of the SAF 44.

Last Friday, rumors circulated that the names of SAF men were removed from the list of awardees during the commemoration of the 114th police service anniversary led by the President in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez denied reports that names were removed, saying the awards of the commandos are still being processed.

Aside from Andrada, the other Metrobank awardees were Sr. Supt. Marlo Meneses, Sr. Insp. Maricris Mulat, Sr. Supt. Camilo Cascolan, Sr. Supt. Valfrie Tabian, Senior Police Officer 4 Florante Ubina, SPO1 Aurora Joy Manuela, SPO3 Dino Sagayo, PO2 Dominador Canlas and PO2 Mary Catherine Demontanio.

The awardees received gold medals, a trophy and P400,000 cash each.

One of the awardees, Mulat said she is very happy and proud being a police officer. Mulat is married to a policeman with whom she has two children, both now in college.

MBFI president Anicieto Sobrepeña said the 10 outstanding police officers, dedicated public servants, are shining examples of selfless pursuit of duties and responsibilities.

“They are ideal members of the country’s police force who serve as models to their peers and are the pride of their institution. We hope that through COPS award, we can inspire a greater number of our police force to likewise aspire to the ideals of professional excellence, dignified service and exemplary leadership,” Sobrepeña added.

Based on MBFI records, Andrada also planned and implemented outreach programs in communities pre-identified as potential hotbeds of the Abu Sayyaf.

Now on its 13th year, the Search for COPS has evolved to be the premier award from the private sector in recognition of the role and contribution of the PNP.

Sobrepeña said the COPS underscored community participation in preventing and solving crimes and boosts PNP transformation programs designed to further professionalize the institution and project a more positive image of the police.

The MBFI said the top 10 policemen were among 157 nominees received by the foundation.

Marquez thanked the MBFI, the Rotary Club of New Manila East and PSBank for continuous recognition and support to the PNP.

Marquez said COPS has truly served as an effective catalyst in raising the level of police performance and further inspiring police personnel to strive harder toward achieving a police service that is highly capable, effective and credible.

“We recognize the fact that the annual search for COPS, spearheaded by prestigious and respected institutions, has helped us attain a deeper confidence and trust from the public,” he said.

PNP chief’s vow

Marquez vowed not to retire without resolving the grievances of the relatives of the 44 fallen SAF commandos.

Earlier, Marquez ordered a review of the parameters in giving awards to fallen and wounded police officers in the line of duty.

Marquez said there is a need to revise the basis in giving citations and recognition to police officers who have courageously done their duty despite the risks.

In his speech on the occasion of Memorial Day for SAF commandos who died in the line of duty, Marquez clarified there was no order from anybody to exclude some personnel.

“The selection board listed 40 probable awardees. I was informed that the heroism and other awards need longer time to finalize,” Marquez said.

The PNP chief admitted that the delay in resolving the issue would surely add to the pain of the relatives and friends of the SAF 44, thus the review in giving awards should be immediately completed.

Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. slammed yesterday the callousness of Malacañang officials for apparently leaving out two members of the SAF who played critical roles in the Mamasapano operation, during the recent awarding ceremonies in Camp Crame.

“It can only be described as cruel treatment,” Marcos said.

He lamented how the present administration has been disregarding and disrespecting the memories of those who were slain in Mamasapano.

Wife of SAF trooper upset

“Mora bitaw og gihatagan ka og regalo ug gibawian at the same time. Mora’g napalaw. (It’s like you were given a gift that was taken back. It’s disappointing),” said Christine Cempron, wife of PO2 Romeo Cempron, one of the slain 44 SAF commandos.

Cempron made the reaction after she found out that her husband’s name had been dropped from the list of awardees during the commemoration rites of the 114th anniversary of the police service held at Camp Crame last Friday.

She said that it was very frustrating and disappointing that her husband’s name was dropped from the list at the last minute. 

She said that SAF brigade personnel called her up on Friday, July 31, and told her that her husband would be given the Medal of Valor, the highest award in the PNP.

The Medal of Valor is only given to any member of the PNP who has performed “a deed of personal bravery and self-sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty so conspicuous as to distinguish himself clearly above his comrades in the performance of more than ordinary hazardous service,” according to the Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines.

She was even advised to buy a Filipiniana dress because the award would be given by no less than President Aquino.

Cempron said she later booked a flight to Manila after she was told that the air fare would be shouldered by the PNP.

However, last Monday, she called the SAF headquarters to ask for an update on the event but was told that Camp Crame would still discuss the awarding and was asked to wait for further notice.

On Tuesday afternoon she was informed by SAF headquarters that her husband would not be awarded since the Medal of Valor is a special award and it should be awarded in a special program.

She said this gave her false hopes that the award would even be given in another ceremony.

Another SAF member who was set to receive a medal but was allegedly dropped from the list was Supt. Raymund Train, a survivor of the operation. He was set to receive the Distinguished Conduct Medal. – With Christina Mendez, Bryner Diaz/Freeman