How coordination between police and military saved Mati City
By Karen Lou Deloso
The New People’s Army (NPA) raid on the Mati Police Station on February 15 happened a day after Valentine’s and than a month after the Mamasapano, Maguindanao clash that saw the deaths of 44 members of the Special Action Forces, 18 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and at least seven civilians. Unlike the Mamasapano incident, however, the Mati clash was a veritable showcase of how the police and military can unite to accomplish a common goal.
The brazen attack was carried out on the night of February 15, but the response of both the police and the military was immediate. It was fortuitous that the Mati City Police Station at the time had been augmented by the presence of the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) 11 which had been sent there to augment the security in the city for the Davao Region Athletic Association (DAVRAA) meet on February 24 to 28.
The initial firefight lasted for 15 minutes, but the military responded quickly to aid the besieged police officers. The backup did not come without a cost, however: three soldiers were killed in a landmine explosion. In the end the NPA band was forced to flee, leaving one of their comrades dead. No civilian was killed or injured.
The Mati police and the military were hailed for the way they handled the crisis. During a recognition ceremony held last week at the vicinity of Mati City Police Station, Provincial Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon gave her salute to the police and the military personnel who held their line during the gun-battle against the NPAs, keeping the rebels from taking over the police station.
She spoke of the “preparedness and the coordination” sparked by “good leadership and bravery” of the police and the military elements of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) 701st Infantry Brigade based in Sitio Magay, Barangay Don Martin Marunda, Mati City.
Regional police director Chief Superintendent Wendy G. Rosario led the awarding to 39 PNP personnel, under provincial director Senior Superintendent Jose Carumba, who successfully defended the Mati Police Station. Twenty-three police officers received the prestigious Medalya ng Kadikalaan and 16 received Medalya ng Kagalingan in honor to their bravery and act of heroism.
Meanwhile, 16 soldiers of the 701st Brigade of the Philippine Army under the command of Colonel Bienvenido Datuin Jr., received the Military Merit Medal for their valiant bravery and great courage in pushing reinforcement to the policemen during the firefight. The Philippine Army’s Eastern Mindanao Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad and 10th Infantry Division Commander, Major General Eduardo M. Año awarded the medals.
The soldiers’ fallen comrades who under the heat of the battle took extra step of courage and bravery in executing their duties were also given honors.
The Sangguniang Bayan of the City of Mati and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the Province of Davao Oriental read and awarded Resolutions commending the PNP and the Philippine Army for their exceptional bravery in defending the city despite the dangers of being under heavy fire.
At the ceremony, Governor Malanyaon lauded the brave police and military awardees.
“It would have been tragic and different news had you wavered in your courage even for a fraction of a second in the face of unprovoked aggression, but you did not. Instead you were able to hold your line and repelled the attackers,” she told the awardees.
She congratulated the decorated military awardees and lauded them for the quick response and hard work that they always extend whenever there is a crisis, noting its role at the height of super typhoon Pablo in 2012.
In her message, the governor also underscored the word “coordination,” to which she attributed the success in trampling the enemy forces. She said the partnership forged by the Philippine Army and the PNP ushered this achievement and “raised the morale of a grieving nation in the midst of the tragic event in Magunidanao that so rocked the nation.”
“These awards would not only mean life achievement of bravery, but it is a story of successfully defending the peace and progress that we have so labored and hoped for, not only in the City of Mati but also for the province and the whole nation,” she said.
“Indeed, you have demonstrated courage, preparedness, and coordination but most of all you have embodied the ultimate sacrifice—the willingness to lay down your lives for our people,” added the governor. With a report from Jeanevive Duron-Abangan/PIA 11
