BACOLOD CITY – The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) commended the bravery and commitment to duty of a personnel wounded in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Tan-awan, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Tuesday, July 2.
Police Col. Rainerio de Chavez, Negros Occidental police director, awarded a Philippine National Police Wounded Personnel Medal (Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting) to Police Staff Sgt. Iric Montoyo during a visit on Thursday, July 4.
POLICE Col. Rainerio de Chavez, Negros Occidental police director, visits Police Staff Sgt. Iric Montoyo in a hospital in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Thursday, July 4. (Photo courtesy of Nocppo)
Police Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 (Western Visayas) chief, extended financial assistance to Montoyo, through De Chavez, who was accompanied by Police Lt. Col. Lowell Garinganao, chief of Provincial Administrative and Resource Management Unit (PARMU), and Police Lt. Col. Roberto Indiape Jr., Kabankalan police chief.
De Chavez highlighted the importance of the medal as a symbol of valor for police officers who risk their lives in the fight against crime.
He underscored the dedication of local law enforcement in their ongoing efforts to eradicate illegal drugs and ensure community safety.
Wanky recognized the sacrifice and bravery of Montoyo toward his duty. “Your actions are worthy of praised and emulation,” Wanky said in a statement.
“This situation cannot stop us from doing our job. Instead, your heroism serves as an inspiration to our colleagues to even intensify our campaign against all forms of illegal activities,” he added.
Montoyo, one of the backup police operatives in the operation, sustained a bullet wound in the arm after he was reportedly shot by 42-year-old Alvie Taco, a suspected member of a drug group, and top priority drug personality on the provincial and city levels.
Taco was with his 22-year-old alleged cohort when they were caught by the police with 20 grams of suspected shabu worth P136,000.