Duterte salutes the fallen cops

By Ana-liza s. macatangay

NAGA CITY --- President Rodrigo Roa Duterte executed a snappy salute to Police Officer 1 Ralph Jason D. Vida whose body rests in a white casket, securely draped with the Philippine flag inside the Camarines Sur Police Provincial Office (CSPPO) Multi-Purpose Hall, in Barangay Concepcion Pequeña, here.

Vida is one of the fatalities in the Oct. 18 ambush at Barangay Napolidan, Lupi, Camarines Sur. He died together with SPO1 Percival S. Rafael Jr., Lupi Municipal Police Station (MPS) Chief Investigator, PNCO, and PO3 Carlito S. Navaroza, Jr.,

Desk Officer, also of Lupi MPS.

Vida is 24 years old, the youngest among the fallen heroes.

President Duterte personally conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families during his brief visit in this city, Tuesday, Oct.23, Tuesday.

Amidst the muffled cry, Vida’s mother, Corazon, told the President how her son planned to pursue higher education and how much he would like to serve the government after finishing his Criminology degree at the Naga College Foundation (NCF).

The President extended the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the Rank of Kalasag to Vida’s mother in recognition of her son’s valiant act, which cost his life. The award is bestowed on 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 the campaign of the President.

Vida’s other companions who luckily survived the incident, were also conferred with the Order of Lapu Lapu with the rank of Kampilan, a distinction given to Wounded-In-Police-Operation (WIPO) officers or personnel in pursuit of the advocacy of the President.

The said award was personally conferred by the President to PO1 Ruby S. Buena, 25 years old; PO1 Daisy Alto, 24 years old and PO1 Jonathan P. Perillo, 27, – all team members of the Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC),

Conferment was made in their respective hospital rooms at the Unibersidad De Sta Sta. Isabel- Health Services Department (USI-HSD) or Mother Seton Hospital located along Roxas Avenue, Diversion Road, also of this city.

Other wounded police officers who received the same award include PO3 Florizel Flores Jr. of the Lupi MPS and PO1 Rodolfo D. Gonzaga Jr., PMFC team members.

The President also had a brief audience with the Wounded-in-Action (WIA) personnel of the Philippine Army.