PNP: SAF 42 to get Medalya ng Kagitingan, different from Medal of Valor

The Philippine National Police on Wednesday clarified that the 42 Special Action Force commandos killed during the Mamasapano operations two years ago will be given the Medalya ng Kagitingan and not the Medal of Valor.

At a press conference, PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos said the PNP Medalya ng Kagitingan is different from the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Medal of Valor, although both are the highest awards given by the respective organizations.

“To distinguish, the PNP, through the National Police Commission and the DILG, ang sa amin ay PNP Medalya ng Kagitingan, ‘yung privileges is different from what the Armed Forces receives pati ‘yung procedure,” Carlos said when asked on the matter.

“And the board that reviewed the act of the 42 found that they deserve to receive the posthumous award,” he added.

Carlos was reacting to the opposition aired by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Medal of Valor awardee Ariel Querubin on the mass awarding of Medal of Valor to the 42 SAF troopers.   

President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the conferment of the Medalya ng Kagitingan to the 42 SAF commandos last week upon the recommendation of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM).

Senior Inspector Gednat Tabdi and PO2 Romeo Cempron have earlier been awarded the PNP Medalya ng Kagitingan in 2016, a year after the Mamasapano operations.

Tabdi was the leader of Team 1 of the 84th Special Action Company. Even when he was already wounded, Tabdi still led his team to accomplish its mission.

Cempron, on the other hand, was the lead gunner of the main effort of the 55th Special Action Company. When his fellow commandos were already dying, he sacrificed himself as a human shield in order for survivor PO2 Christopher Lalan to move to safety.

Different privileges

At the press briefing, Carlos said he understands the sentiments of the oppositors.

“Different yung privileges nila (SAF 42) to the privileges given to the Medal of Valor recipients so naiintindihan po natin yun. Sa mga nakakareceive po kasi ng Medal of Valor, meron pong nakakapagbigay ng salaysay on what happened. On this SAF 44, dalawa yung survivor so based doon sa naging  investigation at appreciation of the committee or the board ang naging desisyon doon sa naunang binigyan ng award,” he said.

“Dito sa 42, there was another board or committee that reviewed their case, so iba na ‘yung composition. Ang tinignan nila ay BOI (Board of Inquiry) report, the statement given by the two who survived. ‘Yun ang nagiging difficulty n’un, the situation of the 42 is different because majority ng katabi nila died in gallant action,” he said.

He also said the Medal of Valor awardees or their beneficiaries receive P75,000 a month while the PNP Medalya ng Kagitingan recipients receive P20,000 a month.

Asked if there is a need to enact a law in order for the PNP to have Medal of Valor awards as suggested by Querubin, Carlos said: “Pwede po but right now the award system is working for us.”

He added that they also wanted to increase the amount given to Medalya ng Kagitingan awardees. — RSJ, GMA News