Medal awarded to cop wounded in Negros Occidental drug sting

BACOLOD CITY – The Police Regional Office-6 (Western Visayas) recognized the heroism and dedication of a policeman who was wounded in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Magticol, Toboso, Negros Occidental on Saturday, June 8.

READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/6/9/lawman-wounded-in-negros-occidental-buy-bust

Police Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, PRO-6 director, pinned a Philippine National Police (PNP) Wounded Personnel Medal on Police Staff Sgt. Ronie Melgar of the Toboso Municipal Police Station when he visited him in a private hospital here over the weekend.

POLICE Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky (second from right), director of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 (Western Visayas), Police Col. Rainerio de Chavez (right), Negros Occidental police director, and Toboso, Negros Occidental Councilor Richard Jaojoco (left), visit Police Staff Sgt. Ronie Melgar in a private hospital in Bacolod City. (Photo courtesy of Nocppo)

Wanky was accompanied by Police Col. Rainerio de Chavez, Negros Occidental police director, Police Lt. Col. Ariel Pico, deputy provincial director for administration of the Negros Occidental police, Police Major Jun Ray Batadlan, Toboso police chief, and Toboso Councilor Richard Jaojoco.

The 40-year-old Melgar was shot by a fleeing drug suspect and was wounded in the right arm during the operation which resulted in the confiscation of P417,588 worth of suspected shabu and arrest of two persons.

Despite his wounds, Melgar continues to be a testament to the courage and commitment of the police force in the fight against illegal drugs, according to the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo).