SAF men excluded? PNoy didn’t pick PNP awardees, Palace says

Malacañang on Friday belied reports that President Benigno Aquino III ordered the removal of Special Action Force (SAF) members involved in the infamous Jan. 25 Mamasapano incident from the list of awardees for this year’s Philippine National Philippine (PNP) police service anniversary.

In a statement, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Aquino did not have any hand in choosing the awardees.

“The Office of the President has no participation in the selection of police officers and individuals that were given recognition in connection with the 114th anniversary of the PNP,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Aquino handed awards to five police officers and one PNP non-uniformed personnel during the PNP’s 114th police service anniversary rites.

Slain SAF member PO2 Romeo Cempron and Superintendent Raymund Train, a survivor of the Mamasapano incident, were reportedly part of the initial list of the awardees, but were ultimately not included.

Cempron was reportedly supposed to receive a posthumous Medal of Valor, while Train was considered for the PNP Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Citing information from the PNP, Coloma said the review process for the Medal of Valor “could not be completed on time.”

“According to the PNP, the evaluation process for the proposed giving of the Medal of Valor, which is the highest award that can be bestowed to any member of the PNP and the Armed Force of the Philippines, requires a lengthy process and a thorough evaluation,” he said.

In a separate statement, the PNP said the awarding ceremony was intended to recognize "the outstanding achievements of the men and women of the Philippine National Police for calendar year 2014." The Mamasapano incident happened in January 2015.

It admitted that it "initially" intended to honor some of the men involved in the Mamasapano operation with awards, including the Medal of Valor. However, "it requires lengthy process and a THOROUGH evaluation for which reason the review could not be completed on time despite our best efforts."

"For these reasons, these awards were not included in the program today," the PNP said. "Rest assured that the deliberation and vetting process by the committee are ongoing and shall render the honor due them at the most appropriate time."

Last January 25, over 60 individuals, including 44 SAF commandos, were killed in a firefight involving members of the SAF, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and private armed groups.

The National Bureau of Investigation recently charged more than 100 members of the MILF—with whom the Philippine government has signed a peace deal—and private armed groups over the killing of the elite policemen. —KBK, GMA News