THE two police officers who were wounded in a shootout in barangay Binongkalan, Catmon town, northern Cebu last Wednesday were awarded the Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting or Medal of Valor yesterday.
Chief Supt. Prudencio “Tom” Bañas, Police Regional Office (PRO-7) regional director, pinned the medal on PO2 Aaron Benjamin Arizo in the hospital yesterday morning.
SPO2 Rex Menchavez has been discharged from the hospital but will receive the same medal.
Bañas said they were waiting for the official report from the chief of Catmon police. Another medal, either Medalya ng Kagalingan or Kasanayan, may also be awarded to Arizo and Menchavez.
Arizo said that despite being wounded in a police operation, the incident will not discourage him from performing his duties.
He said they learned their lesson to always request for back up and be alert all the time especially in responding to armed persons.
Arizo is recuperating from a gunshot wound on his left shoulder.
Arizo, Menchavez and PO2 Dionelio Jurbina were among those who responded to the alarm about the presence of armed persons in the area. Jurbina was killed.
On the side of the armed group, King Siroy Porgatorio Lusifer and Lito Gumolon died in the operation while their companion Andrew Abaigar Ocasla and Tomas Manulat Bracero were arrested by back up police team.
Last Sunday, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento visited the wake of PO2 Jurbina in Catmon town.
Bañas said the DILG secretary promised Shane Dionelle, the daughter of Jurbina, a scholarship until she finishes criminology.