Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) OIC-Secretary Eduardo M. Ano congratulates the 745 Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel on their special promotion for their service in the Marawi siege as he urges the police to emulate the courage and commitment to duty they demonstrated.
Ano says he is proud of the men and women of PNP who risked their lives in the battlefield which led to the liberation of the embattled city on October 23, 2017.
“The promotion is a small token of appreciation for our police officers who were with us since day one leading to the liberation of Marawi,” says the former Armed Forces Chief of Staff who was instrumental in the end of the Marawi siege.
“Maliit na bagay ito kumpara sa inyong mga sakripisyo, dugo at pawis na inyong itinaya para sa kalayaan ng Lungsod ng Marawi. We can’t thank you enough,” he adds.
Of the 745 cops who were given special promotion, 273 are from the Police Regional Office (PRO) of ARMM, PROs 2, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, NCRPO and PRO COR; and 437 from Special Action Force (SAF).
Sixteen are from the Maritime Group; six from Communications and Electronics Service; four each from Health Service and Crime Laboratory Group; and one each from Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Police Security Protection Group, Logistics Support Service, Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management, and PHAU Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM).
The special promotion was announced after the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) en banc approved Resolution No. 2018-206 granting special promotion to the next high rank of the 745 PNP personnel following the recommendation made by then PNP Chief Ronald M. Dela Rosa.
Section 33 (b) of Republic Act 8551 states that any uniformed member of the PNP who has exhibited acts of conspicuous courage and gallantry at the risk of his/her life above and beyond the call of duty shall be promoted to the next higher rank, provided, that such acts shall be validated by Napolcom based on established criteria.
In the 148 days of the Marawi siege, 920 local terrorist groups were neutralized including their leaders, Hapilon and the Maute Brothers; 1,777 hostages were rescued; 479 units of assorted high-powered firearms, several rounds of ammunition, and ordnance and improvised explosive device were recovered.
Ano also urges the uniformed personnel of PNP to emulate the valor and commitment to duty that the promoted law enforcers demonstrated.
“We saw once again that commitment to the call of duty merits appropriate citation. May this act of our 745 brave brothers and sisters of PNP serve as an inspiration as we all aspire to improve our quality of service and fulfill our mandate as public servants,” he says.
