PNP Chief visits wounded cops in Zambo, awards medals

ZAMBOANGA CITY – National Police Chief Benjamin Acorda flew Thursday to this southern Filipino city and visited wounded police commandos whose unit clashed with an Abu Sayyaf fighter in Sulu province.

Acorda also pinned medals to the wounded commandos at a hospital where they were recuperating following last week’s fighting in the village of Seit Higad in Panamao town where police forces eventually killed Muksidal Jumadil.

PNP photos show General Benjamin Acorda pinning medals to nine police commandos wounded in a clash with a lone Abu Sayyaf gunman who was eventually killed in Sulu's Panamao town. 

The wounded commandos, all members of the 7^th Special Action Battalion, were rushed to hospital. Among the wounded were a captain and two of his lieutenants.

Police forces were sent to the remote town to serve an arrest warrant on Jumadil at his hideout after villagers tipped off authorities about his presence. But Jumadil, armed with an automatic weapon, opened fire on the commandos sparking a fierce battle.

Jumadil was wanted for a string of murders in the Sulu, but no other details about his Abu Sayyaf past were made available by the authorities except for the murder of a woman, Nurdija Aminuddin, whom he brutally killed and decapitated in the town of Luuk. The slain criminal was also linked to illegal drugs.

Acorda said he was ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to visit the commandos and awarded them the prestigious Medalya Ng Kadakilaan and Medalya Ng Sugatang Magiting in recognition of their valor and sacrifice. He also provided the commandos with an undetermined amount of money as financial aid.

Police also released the names of the wounded as Capt. Nolie Agmaliw, Lts. Jhorlino Rico Apal and Earl Abbdurajan III; Pats. Lionel Suarverdez and Edison Ray Paris, Cpls. Reymir Subion, Lindo Macua, Oliver Alviar and Andres Dalang.

 

Acorda praised the heroism and bravery of the wounded commandos. “While we salute the valor of our personnel, the safety of our colleagues is our paramount concern. Tayo ay palagiang mag-ingat lalo na sa mga notorious individual na katulad ni Jumadil na sumugat sa ating mga kasamahan. Iisa lang ang ating buhay, kaya ito’y ating pahalagahan at pakakaingatan para sa ating pamilya,” he said.

 

Many of the Abu Sayyaf leaders in Sulu had been killed in military and police operations and their members surrendered the past years to avail of the government’s amnesty program. (Al Jacinto)