Looking for heroes

BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon

Unknown to many, according to the Civil Service Commission, there are civil servants in government like the “Fallen 44” who have risked their lives and lost them in doing their duties.

The “Fallen 44” were members of the Special Action Group of the Philippine National Police who were killed by Muslim rebels in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last month.

For this, the CSC is encouraging the public to nominate to the Pamanang Lingkod Bayani government officials and employees who were killed in the line of duty, or those who died while performing their respective functions and responsibilities.

The PLB awards program  reportedly covers  all  employees  of  the  government  including  uniformed  and  non-uniformed personnel  of  the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Through the Pamanang Lingkod Bayani, families of those who will be awarded will receive a plaque of recognition and one time financial support amounting to P100,000. In addition, three of their  qualified heirs  shall  be extended either a baccalaureate,  master’s  or  doctoral scholarship grant ranging from 50% to full discount on tuition and school fees.

The scholarship may be availed by beneficiaries in any of  the 111-member institutions of  the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges nationwide. 

CSC Commissioner Robert S. Martinez said, “This is the least we could give to repay the honest and hardworking civil servants who had given the ultimate sacrifice for the nation.”

Last year, the Commission recognized heroic efforts of  Meynard  D.  Barcellano, administrative assistant of the office of the  vice-mayor, city  government  of  Tabuk, Kalinga.

Barcellano perished while conducting search and rescue operation at the Chico River. The rubber boat for rescue operation overturned and threw him off including his team.

He struggled and swam for his life but failed to survive due to the strong water current. Based on CSC resolution dated Nov.  28, 2014, “other  servant  heroes  from  the Cordillera who also risked their lives and perished in the name of public service and will be recognized and granted PLB benefits.”

They are police Insp. George S. Lauro, PO3 Judy Lino L. Mamgue, and PO2 John T. Cocod of the PNP Police Regional Office-Cordillera,  Camp BadoDangwa,  La  Trinidad,  Benguet  for gallantry  in  encounter  with  heavily  armed elements  of  the  New People’s  Army in  Asipulo,  Ifugao.

Also included is PO3 Rosewell C. Balliente  also  of  the  PNP PRO-COR who  responded  to a  call  of  barangay residents  for  police  assistance  by  pacifying  an  assailant  who  was  creating  trouble.

Unfortunately he died due to a gunshot wound inflicted on him by the assailant.

Others are barangay kagawad Isabelo T. Gayumba of Lanna, Tabuk, Kalinga and Arthur T.  Dalsen Jr., executive  assistant  I  of  the  city  government  of  Tabuk  who  both  perished  while conducting search, rescue and recovery of bodies of drowning victims at the Chico River in Tabuk. 

Their respective families will receive incentives/assistance this year. The search is on for the discovery of more “heroes” in public service, the CSC said.

The CSC-CAR is now accepting nominations to the Pamanang Lingkod Bayani.  The acceptance of nomination is continuing. Government agencies in the Cordillera are encouraged to submit to the nearest  CSC office within  one  month  from  the  time  of  death  the  nomination  of  civil employees in the government including uniformed and non-uniformed personnel of the PNP and AFP.

For  inquiries  and  details  of  the  PLB  program,  contact  the  CSC-CAR  through telephone numbers (074)443-5982, (074)442-0366 or email  cscro14@yahoo.com. 

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Below is a statement sent by the office of Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on audio recording related to Mamasapano incident (wherein 44 soldiers of the police’s Special Action Force died in clashes with Muslim rebels)  circulating in social media:

“The claim doing the rounds in social media that OPPAP Secretary Teresita “Ging” Deles saw me in my office on January 26, the day after the Mamasapano incident, to “whitewash” the investigation is definitely not true.

“There could not even be any suggestion of a “whitewash” because there was no investigation yet at that time. In fairness to Sec. Deles, she was there only to brief us and explain what happened on the ground after the senate committee hearing on constitutional amendments chaired by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago was held.

“We also discussed the BBL as the OPPAP Secretary was seeking clarification on my pronouncement that I was suspending hearings on the BBL until the truth has come out about the death of the 44 SAF commanders in the clash with the MILF and the BIFF.

“During our conversation, there were many other people present in the room as I normally have streams of visitors, including my staff and those of OPPAP.

I reiterated my full support in seeking a peaceful settlement with our Bangsamoro people but stressed that we must learn lessons from the Mamasapano incident.”