Masbate cops awarded medals for gallantry

LEGAZPI CITY (Aug 21, 2011) – Seven Masbate policemen belonging to the Municipal Police Station of Mobo, Masbate and the Masbate Police Office Public Safety Company received the “Medalya Ng Sugatang Magiting” and several others received the “Medalya ng Kagalingan” during a visit by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo at the DILG Regional Office here on Thursday, (August 18).

Robredo awarded the medals of gallantry to SPO1 Arturo Mendoza, PO2 Antonio Tidon, PO2 Bernardino Altarejos, PO1 Judy Villamor and PO1 Marvin Marcellano.

The 5 policemen under Mobo, Police Chief, Sr. Insp. Leus Anselmo Prima foiled a communist rebel assault on the Mobo Police Station last August 14.

Over 50 NPA rebels dressed in military uniforms reportedly attacked the police station , firing M-60 Cal. Machinegun, M-203 Grenade launcher and hurled Molotov bombs at the police station. The policemen held their ground, incurring gunshot wounds in a firefight with the rebels that lasted for an hour.

A policeman who was responding on the assault at the Mobo, Police Station, PO2 Ernie Conception, was also wounded in the left hand from a landmine blast at Poblacion-1 in Mobo town. Another member of the Masbate Police Public Safety Company, PO1 Baldwin Huyo-a Odtohan was also wounded by an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by the rebels at sitio Matungaw, Barangay Tugbo in Mobo, Masbate.

Earlier, PNP Chief Director General Raul M. Bacalzo had recommended the Mobo Police Station personnel for awards after bravely defending their police base despite being out-numbered.

NPA rebels launched a renewed attack in the provinces of Masbate, Camarines Sur and Sorsogon, simultaneous seemingly taking a cue from the attack in Mobo, Masbate last week. (SONNY SALES)