1 month ago
23
THE Senate honored three uniformed personnel from Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) for their bravery and heroism.
Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa introduced proposed Senate Resolution 1270, which the Senate approved during the session on Monday.
The resolution recognizes Police Senior Master Sergeant Ryan Mariano and Bureau of Corrections officer Melvin Magnaye for their demonstrated "heroism" and "courage" in neutralizing the riding-in-tandem suspects who were identified as "wanted individuals" by the Philippine National Police due to their involvement in drug trafficking and multiple shooting incidents.
"We mourn our law enforcers, our heroes that we have lost. Their heroism and love for the country and peace will never be forgotten. We honor them. For those who were fortunate to have survived the perils of fighting crimes, we should do the same — we honor them," Dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, said in his sponsorship speech.
"Without the bravery of PSMS Mariano and boldness of Correction Officer Magnaye, these two criminals would have continued to pose a significant threat to public safety and security," he added.
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On Dec. 31 last year, the two most wanted criminals in Zamboanga Peninsula shot Mariano when the latter was rendering the New Year's Eve duty at Mount Carmel Parish Church.
Magnaye, who was passing by the area when the incident happened, covered for Mariano, who, at that time, was already shot in his chest and leg.
"The life of a police officer is challenging. Officers face threats from criminals and individuals who seek to tarnish their reputations. The uniform they wear daily does not provide true protection; instead, it symbolizes their responsibility to act honorably and uphold the law at all times," Dela Rosa said in Filipino.
For Dela Rosa, it is time to honor the gallantry of the two uniformed personnel, as this unpleasant incident showed their grit and determination to serve and protect the public.
"It showed their extraordinary ability to swiftly perform their sworn duty of ensuring public safety and their ability to go well beyond it. It is one thing to perform one's duty, to execute the tasks demanded of us by the very jobs we have sworn to fulfill. However, it is another thing altogether to rise above the bare minimum and do even more than required in one's occupation," he said.
Dela Rosa also acknowledged Zamboanga City Police Director Kimberly Molitas for her leadership, saying her foresight in deploying PNP personnel during the New Year's Eve Mass helped provide safety and security to the churchgoers and the community.
"There is no greater nobility than giving one's life to protect another. However, we would always want and pray that in the process of keeping others from harm, our law enforcers live and tell the tale," he said.
