Napolcom honors 3 PNP officers for gallantry

MANILA -- The National Police Commission (Napolcom) on Friday honored three officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for their gallantry.

During its 51st founding anniversary, the Napolcom, through Vice-Chair and Executive Officer Rogelio Casurao, awarded the plaque of commendation and PHP10,000 cash reward to the three PNP officers who displayed conspicuous courage and gallantry in the performance of their duties.

The awardees are Senior Insp. Mark Gil Garcia, SPO1 Roberto Villamor and PO2 Joselito Lantano.

“The act of bravery of these police officers displayed the extraordinary performance beyond the call of duty is worthy of emulation among their fellow officers in the police service and uplifts the image of the PNP,” Casurao said.

“This clearly manifests their comment to serve and protect the people,” he added.

Garcia, former chief of the Rizal Provincial Police Office (PPO) Special Operations Unit (SOU), was awarded posthumously for his conspicuous bravery and gallantry in leading a group of the Rizal Provincial Intelligence Branch-SOU operatives in buy-bust police operations in different towns in Rizal on Aug. 19, 2016 in line with the PNP’s anti-illegal drugs campaign.

Villamor, of the Albay PPO Oas police office, demonstrated extraordinary bravery and dedication to duty in serving as negotiator during a hostage-taking incident on Sept. 5, 2016 that happened in a public transport bus in Oas, Albay, thus, saving the lives of a two-year-old child and two female hostages from imminent danger and successfully arresting the perpetrator.

Lantano, of the PNP’s Police Security and Protection Group, exhibited exceptional bravery and dedication to serve and protect the citizenry in taking calculated steps in professionally handling a robbery on board a moving public transport bus along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue, Quezon City on April 4, 2017 that resulted in the successful neutralization of the three criminals and saving the lives of the passengers from imminent danger. (Napolcom/PR)