The Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday awarded medals to 10 Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) police officers who were involved in Bacolod City raids last October which resulted in the arrest of 42 New People’s Army (NPA) members.
PNP officer-in-charge, Police Lt. General Archie Francisco Gamboa, awarded the Medalya ng Kagalingan Award to Police Colonel Benliner Capili; Police Lt. Colonel Anthony Gantang; Police Chief Master Sergeant Ramiro Gocotano; Police Senior Master Sergeants Rex Himodo, Alberto Sombilon, and Jerome Jambaro; Patrolmen Elmer Toos, John Patrick Evangelista, and Eljohn Dapitan; and Patrolwoman Neshijara Beare.
The PNP chief personally handed the awards to the officers during the flag ceremony at PNP national headquarters at Camp Crame in Metro Manila.
Earlier in October, CIDG agents, along with their counterparts from the Philippine Army 3rd Infantry Division, raided suspected NPA facilities in Bacolod City and Escalante City.
The raids were conducted after receiving numerous intelligence reports claiming the offices were stockpiling firearms and ammunition.
The suspects, meanwhile, continue to deny the allegations claiming the evidence recovered by law enforcement were all planted./DGB, WDJ