CEBU CITY — Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa conferred the “Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting” to Police Officer 3 David Naraja Jr. on Wednesday at the Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital here.
Naraja, of the Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG), was wounded during a police shootout with notorious hitman Jessie Largo in Talisay City last Monday.
Dela Rosa commended Naraja for his bravery and expressed hope that other policemen would duplicate the latter’s courage, risking his life in the campaign against criminality.
“I hope to see more policemen like Naraja here,” Dela Rosa said.
Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino joined Dela Rosa at the hospital in handing the cash assistance from President Rodrigo Duterte to the family of Naraja.
With Dela Rosa and Dino during the awarding were Rep. Gerald Anthony Gullas, Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas, Police Regional Office – 7 Director Jose Mario Espino, and Regional Intelligence Division chief, Senior Superintendent Jonathan Cabal.
Earlier, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña also paid Naraja a visit and promised to provide the wounded law enforcer any assistance he needed.
Cebu Doctors’ Group of Hospitals president and chairman of the board, Dr. Potenciano “Yong” Larrazabal III, meanwhile, assured that Naraja would not be charged for his medical expenses, including his surgery.
Naraja was hit on his face when Largo tried to shoot it out with the authorities in Barangay Dumlog, Talisay City late Monday afternoon.
Largo, who was killed during the shootout, was the suspect in the killing of Jon Ronli Calizar, son of Ferliza Contratista of the Philippine Information Agency. (PNA)
