2 cops wounded in line of duty rewarded

Hermita (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

Two Cebu policemen were awarded the Medalya Ng Sugatang Magiting (PNP Wounded Personnel Medal) after they were shot and wounded in two separate operations.

Chief Supt. Noli Taliño, director of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), pinned the medals on PO1 Erwin Pepito and PO2 Francis Hermita in their hospital beds yesterday.

Each of the wounded policemen received P20,000 cash from PRO-7 and P10,000 from private volunteers who sent cash donations to the regional police.

Taliño said Camp Crame will shoulder the hospital expenses of Pepito and Hermita.

The PRO-7 director first visited PO2 Hermita at Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital.

Pepito (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA).

Hermita was wounded after he was shot by a suspected drug pusher during a buy-bust operation in Danao City last Sept. 16.

PO2 Francis Hermita of Danao City’s Anti-City Illegal Drug Unit suffered two bullet wounds in the left arm.

The suspect, Ariel Cababan, who was in the list of drug personalities in Danao, managed to escape but was eventually arrested by police in a follow-up operation.

In an interview, Hermita said risks are part of a policeman’s life.

“But we always pray that God will spare us from harm. We just have to pray at all times and be extra careful,” said the 32-year-old Hermita who has been a police officer for six years.

Taliño also awarded PO1 Pepito who is confined at Chong Hua Hospital in Mandaue City.

Pepito, 26, responded to a robbery alarm at Hidden Lodge in Barangay Guizo, Mandaue City last Sept. 7 when he was shot by one of the suspects.
He sustained gunshot wounds in the chest, stomach and neck.

Taliño wished Pepito well.

“Hinahangaan ka namin. Sana dumami pa ang lahi mo. Magpagaling ka (We salute you. I hope there will be more policemen like you. Get well soon),” he told the wounded policeman.