Pasay policeman cited for bravery

Metro Manila police chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco cited yesterday a wounded Pasay City policeman for his bravery in fighting off along with a companion three FX taxi robbers last week.

Velasco pinned a Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting and handed out cash award to SPO1 Melchor Aguado, of the City Hall detachment of the Pasay City police during simple ceremonies at the former EIIB building along NIA Road, East Triangle, Diliman, Quezon City.

"He is an example of a new breed of National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) who will risk life and limb to ensure the safety of the citizenry," said Velasco referring to Aguado.

Velasco said he will also recommend the handing out of another medal for Aguado and his companion, PO2 Gerardo Navarro "for the tenacity and courage they showed in apprehending one of the suspects in the course of responding to an emergency situation."

Aguado and Navarro were on routine patrol along the stretch of Buendia and Roxas Blvd., last Nov. 12 when they saw two women jumping off an FX taxi while shouting for help. The alert policemen gave chase to the FX taxi but were shot at by the robbers, hitting Aguado in the right leg. Aguado and Navarro returned the suspects’ fire, hitting one of them, Bonifacio Morales, in the right shoulder and left leg. Morales, was arrested after he was left behind by his two fleeing cohorts.

Velasco also cited security guard Reonald Valdez, who was wounded when he tried to stop Morales’ cohorts from fleeing. The security guard, he said, also showed courage and threw caution to the wind to answer the call of duty. – Non Alquitran