Wounded cop receives medal, cash

CEBU, Philippines - Police Officer 2 Francis Hermita, the policeman who was wounded in an anti-drug operation in Danao City, was awarded the Philippine National Police's Medalya Ng Sugatang Magiting.

Hermita sustained to gunshot wounds to his left arm when suspected drug peddler Ariel Cababan opened fire during a police operation in Barangay Guinsay, Danao City on Friday.

Hermita was rushed to Danao City Hospital but was later transferred to a hospital in Cebu City.

Yesterday, he was awarded with the Medalya Ng Sugatang Magiting inside his hospital room by Police Regional Offoce-7 director Police Chief Superintendent Noli Taliño.

Hermita posed as a buyer when Cababan noticed his identity and shot him before fleeing. Cababan was later arrested and is now in the custody of Danao police.

The award is in pursuant to Section 21 of the National Police Commission Memorandum Circular Number 93-018 in furtherance of Section 14 (m), and Section 69, R.A 6975 that give recognition to the outstanding performance of policemen.

Hermita's wife Jonalyn received P20,000 cash from PRO-7 and P10,000 from private donors.

Hermita, who was discharged from the hospital yesterday, said of his job as police officer: "Ingat, double ingat, tapos ampo. Kung dili lang gyud ta itugyan sa Ginoo sa Kadautan maluwas ra gihapon ta."

Aside from Hermita, Police Officer 1 Erwin Pepito also received P30,000 cash.

Pepito, who was confined at a hospital in Mandaue City, was wounded when he responded to a robbery alarm at the Hidden Lodge in Baranagy Guizo, Mandaue City last September 7.  Taliño said Camp Crame will shoulder the hospital bills of the wounded policemen

Meanwhile, Taliño was also thankful of the arrest of the cousin of suspected drug lord Jeffrey "Jaguar" Diaz, who was killed in June in Las Piñas during a police operation.

"It's good na nadakip na siya, kasi dito sa Region-7 pinapahabol din natin siya pero  siguro lumapit sa ibang  lugar dahil alam niya na mainit siya dito sa Region-7," he said, adding that Reynaldo "Jumbo" Diaz was the number 2 in the Top 10 of drug personalities in Central Visayas.

Taliño said based on their validation, Jumbo allegedly took over the illegal drug operations of Jaguar after his death.  Jumbo was arrested in Subic Saday Resort in Barangay Calintaan, Matnog, Sorsogon by the operatives of Sorsogon Police Office pursuant to two arrest warrants issued by the courts in Cebu City and Nueva Ecija.

In Cebu City, Jumbo has a non-bailable offense for violation of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, while in Nueva Ecija, he is facing a murder case.

Taliño said he has no idea of the names of policemen divulged by Jumbo upon his arrest. Jumbo claimed that he knows of police officials included in Jaguar's payroll.

Meanwhile, three teams composed of 24 personnel from the Special Action Force arrived in Cebu last Saturday in PRO-7.

Taliño said these teams will augment the Region-7's operations against illegal drugs.  (FREEMAN)