Albayalde confers medals on cops who helped in Iloilo-Guimaras sea mishap

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Oscar Albayalde on Monday awarded two policemen who provided assistance during the rescue operation for the passengers of one of the three boats that capsized in the Iloilo-Guimaras Strait in early August.

The Medalya ng Kadakilaan was conferred to Police Chief Master Sergeant Jonathan Magan of San Lorenzo Municipal Police Station of the Guimaras Police Provincial Office and Police Staff Sergeant Rodito Erpelua of the regional headquarters support unit of Police Regional Office 6.

PNP chief Police General Oscar Albayalde awards the Medalya ng Kadakilaan to Police Chief Master Sergeant Jonathan Magan of the San Lorenzzo MPS on Monday, September 2, 2019, for his heroic act during the rescue operation for the passengers of the three pumpboats that capsized in the Iloilo-Guimaras Strait early August. PNP PIO

According to Albayalde, Magan and Erpelua depicted "heroic acts of conspicuous courage above and beyond the call of duty" for saving the lives of fellow passengers onboard M/B Chi-Chi during a sea mishap on August 3, 2019.

PNP chief Police General Oscar Albayalde awards the Medalya ng Kadakilaan to Police Staff Sergeant Rodito Erpelua of PRO6 on Monday, September 2, 2019, for his heroic act during the rescue operation for the passengers of the three pumpboats that capsized in the Iloilo-Guimaras Strait early August. PNP PIO

It was reported by the Joint Iloilo City-Guimaras Command Post that 28 have died in the sea incident involving M/B Chichi, M/B Keziah and M/B Jenny Vince,

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard has said the death toll was at 31. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News