SAN FERNANDO, La Union—Philippine National Police Chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa awarded the Medalya ng Kadakilaan (Medal of Heroism) to the regional police director here for his “vital role” in the arrest of Ronnie Dayan, the alleged lover of Senator Leila De Lima, last Nov. 22, in San Juan, La Union.
Dela Rosa commended Chief Supt. Gregorio Pimentel, PRO1 director, for being the overall in charge of the month-long intelligence gathering and manhunt operation that led to the arrest of Dayan, also De Lima’s former driver.
Senior Supt. Leo Francisco, La Union police director, also received the same medal during the PNP’s 26th foundation anniversary celebration at Camp Florendo here for his role in supervising the operation.
The region’s police operatives were already cited earlier for their job in arresting Dayan, who hid for several months in Barangay Lacung, San Gabriel, La Union.
Dayan went into hiding after he was cited for contempt by the House of Representatives for snubbing the invitation of the Committee on Dangerous Drugs.
Also cited during the PNP anniversary were policemen involved in anti-drug operations, disaster management, neutralization of robbery suspects, and those who served as security during the recent Miss Universe event in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.
Chief Inspector Bernard Pagaduan, the chief intelligence officer of La Union; Senior Inspector Juan Jhayar Maggay, former Tubao town police chief; and PO2 Ryan Ponce all received the Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting (Wounded Personnel Medal) for their gallantry.
They had applied a warrant of arrest on Jan. 2 at Barangay Cacamilingan, Camiling, Tarlac against Enrico Magarde, a high-value target and number four on the wanted list of La Union police.
The three policemen were wounded when Magarde fired at them when they were about to serve the warrant. The suspect was killed after the authorities returned fire.
Awarded with Medalya ng Papuri (Medal of Commendation) were Supt. Cirilo Acosta Jr., Chief Inspector Dennis Ballitoc, PO3 Benjamin De Leon, and PO3 Edurado Rivera. They were cited for exemplary performance for an operation on Nov. 10, 2016 in Bayambang, Pangasinan that resulted in the arrest of seven local officials, all high-value targets in the illegal drug campaign.
Chief Inspector Dave Mahilum, SPO2 Abraham Cabana, PO3 Manuel Clores and PO2 Michael Orte, all received the Medalya ng Kagalingan (Medal of Merit) for neutralizing four robbery hold-up suspects during a pursuit in Manaoag, Pangasinan on Oct. 14, 2016.
Sr. Supt. Jose Melencio Nartates Jr, Ilocos Norte police director, and 587 other policemen who were involved in the “disaster incident management task group” were awarded with Medalya ng Pagtulong sa Nasalanta (Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Medal) for recording zero casualties during the onslaught of Typhoon “Lawin” in Ilocos Norte.
Sr. Supt. Rey de Peralta, Ilocos Sur police director, and 772 other policemen who served as security personnel during the event of Miss Universe in Vigan City were given the Medalya ng Papuri (Commendation Medal) for peaceful and orderly conduct of the event.
Chief Inspector Joseph Adornado Santos and five other personnel of the Explosive and Ordnance Disposal Unit also received the Medalya ng Papuri for their role in the Miss Universe event.
