Legion of Honor awardee criticized by peers

Another Philippine National Police (PNP) general is the subject of criticisms by his peers for being awarded the prestigious "Philippine Legion of Honor" for his alleged role in the May 1 Malacañang siege.

Camp Crame sources said Chief Superintendent Vidal Querol, director of the Northern Police District, has been the laughing stock of his peers, next to Director Florencio Fianza. Querol was awarded the Philippine Legion of Honor with the Degree of Commander allegedly without the endorsement of the PNP and the National Police Commission, the primary units tasked to review and submit recommendees to the Office of the President.

Respected military and police traditions show that the award is handed out only to the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Chief of the PNP.

Like Fianza, sources said Querol even requested that the medal be awarded to him by no less than President Arroyo during the PNP anniversary ceremonies at Camp Crame last January, but he was prevented by PNP officials led by former chief and now Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza. Both Fianza and Querol were promoted to the next rank for their respective roles in preventing Estrada loyalists from entering Malacañang on May 1 last year. They were given significant posts in the police force as part of their award. But PNP officials said the additional awards were uncalled for.

Fianza, director of the PNP-Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development, was conferred the Medal of Valor early this year to the disappointment of several PNP officials. – Christina Mendez