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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Cop murdered by Reds awarded PNP Heroism Medal

Cop murdered by Reds awarded PNP Heroism Medal

Published Dec 11, 2025 06:33 pm
POLICE Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR director, visits the wake of slain Police Senior Master Sgt. Rommel Aguilar in Toboso, Negros Occidental on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
POLICE Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR director, visits the wake of slain Police Senior Master Sgt. Rommel Aguilar in Toboso, Negros Occidental on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
BACOLOD CITY – The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region posthumously awarded the Philippine National Police (PNP) Heroism Medal (Medalya ng Kadakilaan) to Police Senior Master Sgt. Rommel Aguilar, 45, who was killed by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Calatrava, Negros Occidental on Dec. 7.
Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR director, bestowed the citation during a visit to Aguilar’s wake in his home in Toboso, Negros Occidental on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
Ibay recognized Aguilar’s service, bravery, and devotion to duty.
“My snappiest salute to our police officer who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty,” Ibay said in a social media post.
He said Aguilar’s heroism should continue to inspire those he left behind.
Police Lt. Col. Joem Malong, PRO-NIR spokesperson, the Medalya ng Kadakilaan is the highest award a police regional director can grant to a police officer.
Malong added that financial assistance was extended by Ibay and the PNP to Aguilar’s family.
Aguilar was found dead in Barangay Laga-an, Calatrava, hours after a brief clash with unidentified armed men in Barangay Menchaca, Calatrava, while police were conducting operations against a wanted individual.
NPA rebels also shot and killed a civilian alleged to be a military asset in Barangay Dolis, Calatrava.
An investigation is underway to identify and arrest those behind the attacks.
The National Police Commission (Napolcom) condemned the attack.
Commissioner Rafael Vicente Calinisan, Napolcom chief, said in a statement that this senseless act of violence perpetrated by the NPA is a direct assault on peace, stability, and the rule of law.
He condoled with the family of Aguilar, of the 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company (Nocpfmc), and the civilian fatality, Mando Ugdiman.
Calinisan assured them of support and stressed that attacking police officers performing their duty, and endangering innocent civilians, have no place in a society striving for genuine order and development.
He expressed full support for the PNP in their intensified pursuit operations and case buildup to ensure that those responsible are held fully accountable.
“Acts of terrorism and lawlessness will never weaken our resolve to defend peace, justice, and the well-being of our communities,” Calinisan said.

Related Tags

PNP Heroism Medal Calatrava Negros Occidental Police officer Deaths Murder NPA Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay
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