(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte honored security forces killed in separate clashes with the New People’s Army (NPA) in Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte last week, as he conferred the order of Lapu-Lapu with the rank of Kalasag to the three policemen killed in the ambush.
The President arrived on Tuesday, Oct. 23, at the Camarines Sur Police Provincial Office to visit the wake of PO1 Ralph Jason Vida, one of the three policemen who died during an ambush by the NPA in Lupi, Camarines Sur, on the convoy of Food and Drug Administration chief Director General Nela Charade Puno last October 18.
He met with the spouses of the two other slain policemen — PO3 Carlito Navarozza and SPO1 Percival Rafael. The cops were awarded the order of Lapu Lapu, which the President handed over to their wives.
Duterte also visited the five wounded police officers who were part of the police escort for the FDA convoy.
The President conferred on them the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the Rank of Kampilan. Such award is given to individuals for their extraordinary acts of service in pursuing the advocacy and campaign of the President.
The 73-year old Philippine leader also recognized the soldier killed in an encounter with the NPA rebels in Camarines Norte last week.
He gave army soldier Pvt. Ruben Bersabe who died in an encounter in last October 14 the award, the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the Rank of Kalasag.
CAA Teodoro Adoptante who died in a separate clash in Lupi last October 16 was given a similar honor.
President Duterte handed over to the relatives the Order of Lapu-Lapu – Rank of Kalasag.
Such honor is given to uniformed personnel who lost their lives while performing their duties. Apart from this, the President also provided financial assistance, scholarship, and employment to the families of the deceased.
-Duterte also visits, confers awards, to soldiers wounded in NPA attacks–
Before the wake visit, President Duterte met the injured soldiers at the Universidad De Sta. Isabel- Health Services Department (USI-HSD) in Naga City.
The military personnel sustained wounds during the October 14 encounter with the NPA in Labo, Camarines Sur. They were Cpl. Christopher Bactad, Cpl. Joven Llorera, Pvt. Johnrex Ferpas, and Pvt. Jesse Pausal.
Each of the wounded security forces also received a cellphone, gun certificate, and Comprehensive Social Benefit Package consisting of financial assistance, educational support for their children, health assistance, and employment. (Eagle News Service with a PND report)
