Camp BGen. Rafael T. Crame, Quezon City
December 18, 2017

Recognizing the heroic deeds of policemen and soldiers who fought to liberate Marawi City, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte led the awarding of the Order of Lapu-Lapu to Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) officers and personnel at the Camp Brigadier General Rafael T. Crame in Quezon City.

“They are the epitome of courage, bravery, and patriotism… Rest assured, that the government can take care of the policemen and soldiers who were injured or killed during the operation,” said the Commander-in-Chief in his keynote address, adding that the state would also attend to the needs of their families and loved ones, such as job opportunities for the widows and educational assistance for ordinary policemen through their Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) membership.

Whilst commending the law enforcement in their efforts in Marawi City and battling insurgency across the country, President Duterte urged all policemen to be steadfast in upholding their duties and credibility.

“Government is now hard at work in rebuilding and rehabilitating Marawi City… It’s my hope that the entire nation will lend a hand in this task, as well as our endeavors to preserve peace, maintain order, and build a prosperous nation,” he said.

“I want to build a strong police and strong armed forces to withstand the challenges of time… More than anything else, the life of my policemen and soldiers is more valuable to me than the life of the terrorists… Take the upper hand while you are still alive,” the President ended.

Under Executive Order (EO) No. 35, amending EO No. 17 (s. 2017), the Order of Lapu-Lapu is created to acknowledge government officials and employees, as well as private individuals for their contribution to the campaign or advocacy of the administration.

For the awarding ceremonies, medals with the ranks of Kalasag, Kampilan, and Kamagi were conferred to PNP, BFP, and BJMP staff who were Killed-in-Police Operation (KIPO) during the Marawi City siege, Wounded-in-Police Operation (WIPO), and other personnel deployed in Marawi City.

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