Transparency urged in police service awards

MANILA, Philippines - Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday to be more transparent in giving awards to police commandos to avoid rubbing salt into the wounds of the families of the 44 slain Special Action Force (SAF) troopers.

Recto said the SAF 44, as well as their living comrades who had fought alongside them during a police operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Jan. 25, are considered heroes in the eyes of the public.

“I am confident that the highest honors will be conferred on them because I know the PNP leadership is prompt and proactive in honoring the gallantry of their men,” he said.

The senator issued the statement in the wake of criticisms that Malacañang ordered the removal of two police officers from among the awardees during the recent celebration of the 114th anniversary of the police service.

Reports said that slain SAF trooper PO2 Romeo Cempron and survivor Supt. Raymund Train were not awarded the Medal of Valor and PNP Distinguished Conduct Medal, respectively, upon orders of Malacañang.

“This would be painful for the families, especially if they had already been notified of the awards. Posthumous na nga, postponed pa,” he said.

Recto said the PNP should announce who will be awarded, what award will be given, and when will it be conferred, as he called on the police leadership to ensure that it will push through “time on target” once the date for the awarding is set.

But PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez denied that the names were removed from the list of awardees, as he pointed out that the honors are still being processed.

“There was no order from anybody to exclude some personnel. The selection board listed 40 probable awardees. I was informed that other awards would need a longer time (for processing) and approval,” Marquez said.

To be awarded the PNP Medal of Valor, a police officer “must perform 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.”

Marquez also expressed sadness over the apparent exploitation of the bravery and heroism exemplified by the SAF 44.

“They risked their lives for the country. It is sad that other people are using their sacrifices for their own ends,” he said in Filipino.

The issue on the supposed exploitation came to the fore after President Aquino failed to mention their heroism in his final State of the Nation Address on July 27, and after Vice President Jejomar Binay, who will be running as the opposition’s standard bearer in next year’s polls, enumerated the names and rendered a salute to the mural of the SAF 44 during his “true SONA.”– With Cecille Suerte Felipe