HERO COP. Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde confers the Medalya ng Kadakilaan to S/Sgt. Rodito Erpella of the Regional Headquarters Support Unit of the Police Regional Office-6 after Monday's flag raising ceremonies at Camp Crame in Quezon City. Albayalde says despite being victims of the sea mishap themselves, Erpella and Chief M/Sgt. Jonathan Magan of San Lorenzo Municipal Police Station of Guimaras Police Provincial Office, displayed a heroic act worthy of emulation. (Photo courtesy of PNP)

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde conferred the Medalya ng Kadakilaan to two policemen for saving the lives of their fellow passengers on board a pumpboat which capsized in Iloilo-Guimaras early last month in rites yesterday.

Albayalde identified the two hero cops as Police Chief Master Sgt. Jonathan Magan of San Lorenzo Municipal Police Station of Guimaras Police Provincial Office and Police Staff Sgt. Rodito Erpella of the Regional Headquarters Support Unit of the Police Regional Office 6 in Western Visayas.

According to Albayalde, the two policemen were conferred the award for their heroic acts of conspicuous courage and commitment to the service for saving lives of civilian passengers onboard despite being victims themselves during the sea mishap where MV Chi-Chi capsized in Iloilo-Guimaras Strait.

The incident, it was recalled, took place on 3 Augustat about 12:15 p.m.

Albayalde said the heroism showed by the two cops should be emulated by others in the police service.

It was recalled that 31 people were killed after three pumpboats, which included MV Chi-Chi, capsized due to rough seas caused by bad weather in Iloilo-Guimaras Strait.

The Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council also said that 65 others — 52 passengers and 13 crew members – survived the mishap.