PNP reviewing award to May 1 ‘heroes’

Two top Philippine National Police (PNP) officials are being investigated as to why they were awarded two of the highest awards in the uniformed service.

Director Florencio Fianza, head of PNP Human Resource and Doctrine Development, was awarded the Medal of Valor while Chief Superintendent Vidal Querol, director of the Northern Police District, was conferred the Legion of Honor for leading troops in stopping pro-Estrada rallyists who had laid siege to Malacañang on May 1 last year.

PNP chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. had reportedly ordered the review following allegations that Fianza and Querol had been illegally conferred the medals.

"We have here a Senior Officers, Placement and Promotions Board, from which, the determination of awards, decorations and promotions is handled by senior officers through a promotions board," he said.

"That’s the procedure. It concerns the May 1 (2001) incident. We have a procedure that should be followed," he added.

A number of police officials are reportedly questioning why Fianza had been presented the Medal of Valor.

But Fianza in a telephone interview said he was not aware that Ebdane had ordered a review of the procedure on how he was conferred the Medal of Valor.

"I am getting irritated at all those reports that have been coming out," he said. "I don’t know what is their agenda. In the first place, I never asked for the (medal). It was Malacañang who awarded it to me."