MANILA — As the Philippine National Police (PNP) commemorated its 27th founding anniversary Monday, Department of Interior and Local Government officer-in-charge Eduardo Año paid tribute to the lawmen who made the ultimate sacrifice while in the line-of-duty.
In a Radio Pilipinas report, the DILG chief made special mention of PO3 Carlos Bacaig, one of the two police officers killed in a grenade blast in La Paz, Abra, last January 24.
He added that Bacaig, a survivor of the Mamasapano incident where 44 Special Action Force members were killed during the Jan. 25, 2015 operation which neutralized Malaysian terrorist and bombmaker Zulkipli Bin Hir alias “Marwan,” could have his choice of assignment but opted to return to duty in his province in an effort to secure the peace there.
Also mentioned was Insp. Edwin Placido, Marawi City Police deputy chief, who was killed in the battle against the Maute Group terrorists last year.
The latter’s remains was only recovered four months after the fighting started in May 23, 2017.
In honor of Bacaig, Placido and other police officers who fallen in the line-of-duty, Año and PNP Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa placed a wreath at the “Bantayog Ng Mga Bayaning Tagapamayapa” in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Joining them were the widows of the fallen officers. The PNP was formally founded in Jan. 29, 1991 following the passage of Republic Act 6975 also known as the DILG Reorganization Act. (PNA)
