PNP fetes cop wounded in raid vs. Maute ‘bomb-maker’

GENERAL SANTOS CITY--The Police Regional Office 12 (Soccsksargen) conferred the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) wounded personnel medal to a police officer, who was hurt in an operation against a suspected “bomb-maker” of the Maute Group here last Monday.

Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales, PRO-12 director, said Friday he presented the medal to Police Officer 3 Jerry Feo during a visit to the General Santos Medical Center on Wednesday afternoon.

The award, also known as the Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting, is given to police officers and personnel who are “wounded in action” during operations or while performing their duties.  

Morales said Feo, who sustained four gunshot wounds on his back, is in stable condition but is still undergoing medication at the hospital.

“PRO-12 and the entire PNP organization are very proud of his priceless contribution,” the police official said.

Feo, a warrant officer of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) 12, was wounded after suspect Najib Calimba Pundug alias Najib Hussein, opened fire at joint operatives in a raid at his safehouse in Barangay Fatima early Monday.

Pundug, who was tagged as the number two man of the Islamic State-inspired Maute under its new leader Owaidah Abdulmajib Marohombsar alias Abu Dar, reportedly tried to throw a grenade but was neutralized in time by the team.

Aside from the medal, Morales turned over PHP76,000 in cash assistance to Feo’s  immediate family.

Morales said the amount was collected from RFMB-12 members, who all contributed voluntarily for the wounded police officer’s medication and physical recovery.

“The unit, as a reactionary force of PRO-12, showed that it is always prepared for tactical movements regarding any eventuality relative to terrorism, criminality and illegal drug activities,” he added. (PNA)