42 SAF troopers posthumously awarded PNP Medal of Valor

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday conferred the Philippine National Police (PNP) Medal of Valor on 42 of the 44 members of the Special Action Force (SAF) who perished during the bloody Mamasapano encounter in January 2015.

Two of the 44—Police Chief Inspector Gednat Tabdi and Police Officer 2 Romeo Cempron—already posthumously received the award during the Aquino administration.

The 42 officers' surviving kin received the commendations at a ceremony in Malacañang.

“Their extraordinary display of bravery during that fateful operation does not just qualify them to receive this highly-coveted decoration. It also makes them worthy to be called as heroes,” Duterte said in his speech.

The President also said that the tragic death of the police officers in the hands of enemies who outnumbered them and surrounded them from all sides may be one of the darkest and saddest parts of the nation’s history.

“Yet, this sad episode just proved that [through their] commitment to their sworn duty to protect our nation from terror and violence, they have successfully neutralized one of the world’s most wanted terrorists,” Duterte said.

“Indeed, the SAF 44 is not only a group of dedicated, capable and commendable police officers. They are also individuals worthy of emulation and admiration."

During Tuesday’s awarding ceremony, all of the members of SAF 44 were also posthumously awarded the Order of Lapu-Lapu (Magalong Medal).

The Magalong Medal is awarded to officials and personnel of the government and private individuals who have rendered extraordinary service or have made exceptional contributions to the success of an activity pursuant to a campaign or advocacy of the President.

The PNP Medal of Valor, which is the highest award of the PNP, is awarded to any member of the PNP who have performed in action a deed of personal bravery and self-sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty so conspicuous as to distinguish himself clearly above his comrades in the performance of more than ordinary hazardous service, according to a National Police Commission (Napolcom) memorandum circular.

The 44 elite cops perished following the operation against Malaysian bomb maker Zulkifli Bin-hir alias Marwan and Filipino bandit leader Basit Usman on January 25, 2015.

The operation neutralized Marwan but also resulted in an encounter with members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

Cases for graft and usurpation of official functions are currently pending before the Sandiganbayan against former President Benigno Aquino III, former police chief Alan Purisima, and former SAF commander Getulio Napeñas over the operation.

The Supreme Court, however, in February stopped the proceedings at the anti-graft court pending decision on the petition filed by some parents of the slain policemen seeking their indictment for the stiffer offense of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide. — BM/BAP, GMA News