Espina hands out awards to 7,822 cops

MANILA, Philippines - At least 7,822 police officers have been awarded medals for their exemplary performance since National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Leonardo Espina assumed command of the NCRPO on Sept. 7, 2012.

Espina said yesterday that in the same period of time, he has dismissed 95 erring police officers from service, demoted 31 others and suspended 104 more as part of a sweeping campaign to rid the command of misfits and scalawags.

“In the NCRPO, we see to it that we resolve the cases against erring police officers and mete out the mandatory punishment to give justice to their victims,” said Espina.

Espina has handed out 183 Medalya ng Kagalingan (Medal of Merit), 6,886 Medalya ng Kasanayan (Efficiency Medal), 543 Medalya ng Papuri (Commendation Medal), 80 Medalya ng Paglilingkod (Service Medal), nine Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting (Wounded Personnel Medal), 48 Medalya ng Mabuting Asal (Good Conduct Medal), and 73 Medalya ng Ugnayang Pampulisya (Police Relations Medal).

Among those cited were Superintendent Pedro Sanchez, Senior Inspector Rodel Urbina, Police Officer 2 Jimmy Margarito and PO1 Mark Epelipcia, who were wounded during a violent rally at the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Quezon City.

Last week, Espina dismissed from the police service 19 erring policemen, demoted nine and suspended 29 others after they were found guilty of homicide, robbery-extortion, illegal arrest, being absent without leave, grave misconduct, negligence of duty, slight physical injuries and irregularities in the performance of duty.