DAVAO CITY (July 22) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu, Rank of Kalasag on four policemen killed in an ambush by communist insurgents in Ayungon, Negros Oriental on Thursday, July 18.
Duterte led the conferment of the Order of Lapu-Lapu during the awarding rites held at Camp Francisco Fernandez, Sibulan, Negros Oriental.
The slain policemen who received the posthumous award were Corporal Relebert Beronio, Patrolman Raffy Callao, Patrolman Ruel Cabellon, and Patrolman Marquino de Leon.
The victim were intelligence personnel from the 704th Mobile Force Company Regional Mobile Force Battalion of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Central Visayas.
Based on the initial report of the PNP, the policemen were verifying the reported presence of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Bgy. Mabato in Ayungon town when they were attacked. Their firearms were taken by the rebels and the motorcycles they were using went missing.
The Order of Lapu-Lapu is given to persons in government or private sector who have rendered extraordinary service or have made exceptional contributions to the success of the President’s campaign or advocacy.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte commiserates with the kin of one of the slain police officers as he visits the wake at Camp Lt. Col. Francisco C. Fernandez Jr. in Sibulan, Negros Oriental on July 20, 2019. During his visit, the President honors the four police officers who were killed in an ambush by suspected communist rebels last July 18. With the President are Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, and Philippine National Police Chief General Oscar Albayalde. -ALBERT ALCAIN/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
The Kalasag Medal is awarded 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.
Dependents of soldiers and policemen killed in action receive P250,000 financial assistance from the government while other benefits are extended through the Comprehensive Social Benefit Program. Injured members of the security forces receive P100,000.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), one of the participating agencies under the program, provides employment to widows and other dependents.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in coordination with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), provides skills training and the Department of Health (DOH) extends medical assistance.
Qualified beneficiaries who completed skills training are entitled to receive the second tranche of financial assistance from the government amounting to P250,000 for every beneficiary.
Shelter assistance is also extended to beneficiaries by the National Housing Authority (NHA). The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also provide scholarships to dependents of soldiers and policemen killed in combat.
Accompanying the President Saturday were Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, PNP Chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde, and Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino. -PND
