4 cops lauded for bravery

MANILA, Philippines — Days after at least 100 policemen received a verbal lashing from President Duterte, four Quezon City police officers were awarded for their bravery in anti-crime and drug operations.

Police Officers 1 Florjoe Padilla and Richard Abuan of the Galas police station and PO1 James Patrick Castillo of the Fairview police station received the Philippine National Police (PNP) Medal of Merit from Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar, National Capital Region Police Office director.

Padilla and Abuan were cited for arresting a robbery suspect and recovering stolen goods in a follow-up operation that led to a shootout last month.

Castillo was hit in the chest but was saved by his body armor in a shootout during a drug sting in May. Two drug suspects were killed in the shootout.

PO1 Jonathan Peralta from the Talipapa police station received the PNP Wounded Personnel Medal for his bravery and courage when he was shot in the back during an anti-drug operation last month.

Eleazar said honoring the four police officers took away the frustration he felt following the presentation of scalawag police officers before President Duterte last Tuesday.

Duterte threatened to have the policemen killed if they do not change their ways.

Tree used as urinal

Meanwhile, the PNP is checking reports that some of the erring policemen summoned to Malacañang urinated on the century-old balete or ficus tree.

“If it’s true, definitely it will add up to their administrative cases,” PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Benigno Durana said.

Some members of the Presidential Security Group claimed the stench emanating from the tree – located five meters away from a toilet – gave away the policemen’s misdeed.