Army plaque for police group, medal for officer who saved SAF

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Army plaque for police group, medal for officer who saved SAF
The Philippine Army cites the PNP's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for its "support in the intelligence operations of the Army'

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Army on its 118th anniversary celebration on Monday, March 23, gave a Command Plaque to the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to recognize its “support in the intelligence operations of the Army.”

The CIDG chief is Police Director Benjamin Magalong, who also led the police Board of Inquiry that investigated the Mamasapano tragedy that triggered a word war between the military and the police.

“I am happy to see my partner in Abra, Director Magalong,” Army chief Lieutenant General Hernando Iriberri told reporters after the awarding.

“I was the brigade commander in Abra and he was the regional director in Cordillera during the elections. We enjoyed great partnership, which in fact resulted in the most peaceful elections in Abra since time immemorial,” Iriberri added.

Sacked police Special Action Force (SAF) commander Director Getulio Napeñas blamed the military for its failure to immediately provide artillery support to rescue the beleagured elite cops. A total of 67 Filipinos, including 44 elite cops, were killed in the operation.

But the BOI report pinned the blame on Napeñas for a “poorly implemented” operation that it said was “defective from the beginning.” It scored SAF’s failure to coordinate with the military, thus its failure to fire artillery support.

In spite of reports of the police BOI and Senate committees, some quarters continue to doubt the reasons for the military’s refusal to fire artillery support.

The BOI report said the military hesitated to fire its cannons in consideration of the peace process. Senator Grace Poe, who prepared the Senate report, said questions remain as to the motivations of the military. (READ: ‘American tried to give orders in Mamasapano’

A soldier who rescued members of the SAF Seaborne unit also received medals.

The Gold Cross Medal, the 3rd highest combat award, was conferred to 2nd Lieutenant Jeymark Mateo, a platoon leader in Maguindanao.

Mateo’s commendation read: “As Platoon Leader of the 61st Division Reconnaissance Company, 6th Infantry Division, 2Lt Mateo together with his platoon reinforced the 84th Special Action Company of the PNP Special Action Force that was engaged in an encounter with undetermined number of  Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and lawless groups, and was heavily under fire, in Brgy Tukalanipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao, last January 25. His group retrieved eight killed, 11 wounded, and 18 unharmed PNP-SAF troopers from the 84th SAC.” – Rappler.com

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