The National Police Commission (Napolcom) announced Monday the promotion of 42 more policemen who were on tour of duty during the 2017 Marawi siege, bringing the number of promoted uniformed members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to 948.
NAPOLCOM Vice-Chairman and Executive Officer Rogelio Casurao said they were promoted for their heroic deeds during the bloody Marawi siege from May 23 to October 23, 2017.
He said the promotion was granted after the commission en banc approved eight separate resolutions confirming the special promotion of the latest batches of police officers who risked their lives to liberate Marawi City from local terrorist groups led by the Maute brothers and Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon.
NAPOLCOM said the 20 police officers from the PNP Intelligence Group (IG) were promoted for their exemplary performance in providing assistance to the PNP Special Action Force (SAF) in locating their armored vehicle and their crew who were trapped on the ground by entering the main battle area.
The action resulted in the neutralization of several members of the Maute Group, the rescue of many civilians and the preemption of the enemy’s hostile plans.
The commission said seven uniformed personnel of the PNP Crime Laboratory Group (CLG) were also granted special promotion for their high sense of professionalism and commitment to duty during the conduct of autopsies where they obtained DNA samples from the recovered bodies of PNP and AFP personnel and civilians, who died during the siege, despite security concerns in the main battle area and health hazards coming from the decomposing bodies.
Ten more PNP members were also promoted for their gallantry in providing security at the entry and exit of thoroughfares to ensure the protection of lives and properties, and the safe passage of operating troops to thwart lawless elements.
Also granted special promotion were two police personnel, one of whom demonstrated bravery during the retrieval of a memory card from a drone camera despite heavy gunfire from snipers.
He was also responsible for mapping out the processed photographs and converting the same into grid coordinates of the enemy’s location for coordinated aerial strikes.
The other one was hit by an enemy sniper while conducting perimeter security at the main gate of the Provincial Capitol Complex.
The commission also approved the special posthumous promotion of three police personnel who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of Marawi City.
Police Cpl. Daniel T. Tegwa demonstrated bravery when he fired a caliber 50 machine gun at the overwhelming number of local terrorists.
Also, Police Cpl. Alex M. Laurente displayed courage and gallantry as part of the 1st Special Action Battalion (1SAB) that was resupplying ammunition to the SAF troopers at the frontline advance post. (Chito Chavez)
