Duterte to cops: Be heroic like Magno but stay alive

By JIGGER J. JERUSALEM
Correspondent .

WHILE the act of the policeman who died during a grenade explosion in Initao town, Misamis Oriental, was heroic, President Duterte reminded law enforcers to be careful in handling life-threatening situations to prevent loss of lives.

Duterte was in Initao last week to visit the wake of Senior Master Sgt. Jason Magno, the police officer who was killed when a grenade went off inside the Initao Community College campus on Nov. 28.

Magno was responding to a report that an old man, later identified as Ibrahim Basher, was holding a grenade inside the school, where the officer was said to have shielded civilians and fellow officers from the explosion during the scuffle.

Another police officer, M/Sgt. Alice Balido, was hurt along with 15 civilians.

Brig. Gen. Rolando Anduyan, police regional director, said Friday the President told him and other officials present that it would be best if officers are not killed in the performance of their duty.

Quoting Duterte’s statement during his visit, Anduyan said, “If there is a police officer who is willing to give his life for others, that’s an honorable sacrifice. But it would be best if they are alive.”

Anduyan said Duterte also talked to Magno’s family and told his five children: “Isog inyong papa.” He also told them  he appreciates their father’s heroism.

Duterte promised to help Magno’s wife who would undergo surgery.

“He (Duterte) had a heart-to-heart talk with Magno’s wife,” Anduyan said.

Before he left, Anduyan said, Duterte had a chat with Magno’s neighbors while some of them had their photos taken with the President.

“He didn’t leave right away and took the time out to talk with the people there. He made the people there feel that he is one of them,” Anduyan said.

According to reports, Duterte awarded the Medal of Valor to Magno through his family, aside from handing them the Order of Lapu-Lapu, Rank of Kalasag Medal, while Balido received an Order of Lapu-Lapu, Rank of Kampilan Medal.

The PNP Medal of Valor is the highest award it gives to police officers who have performed “a deed of personal bravery or self-sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty so conspicuously as to distinguish him above his comrades.”

The Order of Lapu-Lapu, Rank of Kalasag, is given to officials and personnel of the government and private individuals who lost their lives as a direct result of their participation in an activity pursuant to a campaign or advocacy of the President.

The Order of Lapu-Lapu, Rank of Kapilan is bestowed upon individuals who were seriously wounded or suffered a great loss of property as a result of their participation in activity under a campaign or advocacy of the President.