PR
The hero of Initao, the late Police Master Sergeant Jason Magno is being recommended for the posthumous award of the PNP Medalya ng Kadakilaan in recognition of his heroic death in Misamis Oriental.
His buddy, PSMS Alice Balido who herself suffered serious blast injuries is also recommended to receive the highly coveted award.
Magno and Balido both tried to contain the effects of a grenade lobbed by an amok inside the campus of Initao College by ansorbing the blast with their own bodies to protect innocent dtudents from harm.
PNP Officer in Charge Police Lieutenant General Arvhie Francisco F Gamboa flew to Misamis Oriental on Sunday to personally condole with the orphaned family of Magno.
He also visited Balido at the hospital to ensure that her medical needs are attended to.
Magno is a trained Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialist who was among first responders at the scene when an amok armed with a knife and grenade barged inside the school grounds.
Unmindful of his own safety, Magno instinctively used his body to shield the crowd from the blast effects of the grenade and died on the spot.
“He did not die in vain. His death gave new meaning to undying line in the PNP Hymn ‘ihandog ang iisang buhay’ which is exactly what Magno did,” Gamboa said.
“Magno, Balido and countless other police heroes who came before them, are imbued with the same patriotism of Bonifacio and our national heroes who died for our country, Gamboa said.
