• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The police chief of E.B. Magalona in Negros Occidental and the commander of the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade were among those honored by the Police Regional Office-6 in rites held at Camp Martin Delgado in Iloilo City on Monday, April 29.
The awardees from Negros Occidental were PMaj. Kenneth Jay Gratones, who was conferred the Philippine National Police (PNP) Heroism Medal or Medalya ng Kadakilaan, in recognition of his commitment and dedication to duty, and Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, for his unwavering support to the PRO-6 peace and order campaign in Western Visayas.
Presidential Adviser on Military and Police Affairs Roman Felix, assisted by PBrig. Gen. Jack Wanky, police regional director of Western Visayas, led the pinning of medals and distribution of citations to the awardees.
Others included Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, 3rd Infantry Division commander; Brig. Gen. Michael Samson, 301st Infantry Brigade commander; Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict spokesperson Prosecutor II Flosemer Chris Gonzales; PMaj. Gen. Robert Rodriguez, Area Police Command Visayas acting chief; Air Force Tactical Operations Group, with the plaque received by Capt. Daryl J Salave; 6th Forward Service Support Unit of the Army Support Command led by Lt. Col. Rowel Maala; and PCapt. Ryan Christ Inot of the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit-6, who also received the PNP Heroism Medal.
A Medal of Merit was received by PCapt. Gilbert Batiles of the Batan Municipal Police Station, Aklan Police Provincial Office, while PCapt. Felimon Espinosa of the Regional Maritime Unit-6, received the PNP Commendation Medal or the Medalya ng Papuri.
Aiza Manero, spouse of the late PCpl. Reo Manero, also received the PNP Heroism Medal or the Medalya ng Kadakilaan, as a posthumous recognition of her husband’s bravery.
In a statement, Wanky stressed the importance of strong partnership and collaboration between and among the security agencies.
In his speech, Felix rallied the PRO-6 and its partners in the maintenance of law and order and to defend the duly constituted authority at all times.”
“Always live up to the PNP motto of service, honor, justice and you will never go wrong,” he added. | GB
