PANABO CITY (MindaNews/22 March) – Philippine National Police Director General Ramon Bacalzo today conferred a posthumous award for gallantry to Police Officer 3 Narciso Pakiwag Sr., promoting the slain policeman to the next rank.
The PNP chief also awarded the “Medalya ng Kagalingan” to 10 police officers, two of whom women, who were at the station at the time of the attack. Police Officers 1 Mary Grace Bual and Chrisfel Barzuelo positioned themselves at the ground floor of the police station in helping repel the NPA attack.
Bacalzo gave the award to Pakiwag’s widow, Herlyn, at the Villa Funeral Homes in Panabo City where his body lies. The award promoted Pakiwag to Senior Police Officer 1.
Pakiwag, a father of six, died Saturday night after NPA rebels attacked the Panabo City Police Station. Two of his companions were injured.
The slain policeman was guard on duty at that time when he accosted the rebels who were dressed up like army soldiers, said his colleagues.
“Pakiwag asked for identification from the rebels when they approached the station. They shot him immediately,” PO2 Randy Santa Maria narrated.
Warned by the gunshots, Santa Maria said they herded themselves at the second floor of the police station where they repelled the rebel attack.
Bacalzo said the entire PNP is proud of Pakiwag’s gallantry when he accosted the rebels.
“Amid the adverse publicity of corrupt policemen, here is someone who sacrificed his life, his family to protect the station and the community,” Bacalzo said. (Froilan Gallardo / MindaNews)