PNP News Releases 2005

MEDAL FOR HERO COP

PNP Chief, Director General Hermogenes E Ebdane Jr. today awarded the Medalya ng Kagalingan (PNP Medal of Merit) to the Mandaluyong City policeman who bravely fought three hold-uppers aboard a bus along EDSA over the weekend.

SPO1 Charlito Corpuz was also awarded the Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting (PNP Wounded Personnel Medal) for sustaining a gunshot wound in the armed encounter.

The Chief PNP personally handed a cash award to Corpuz as financial assistance for his hospital expenses. Ebdane led top police officials and members of the PNP Council of Elders in presenting the awards to Corpuz who is still recovering from a gunshot wound at the Potenciano General Hospital in Mandaluyong City .

Corpuz engaged three armed hold-uppers in a shootout aboard a passenger bus Saturday evening. The encounter resulted in the killing of the three suspects who were armed with a cal.45 pistol and cal.38 handguns. Corpuz, an investigator assigned at the Kalentong Police Community Precinct of the Mandaluyong City Police Station, was off-duty at the time and was on his way to report for duty aboard the ill-fated bus when the hold-uppers struck.

As the hold-uppers were divesting passengers of their personal elongings, Corpuz sized-up the situation and made his move.

With carefully-aimed shots, he engaged the three armed suspects using his service firearm until he was hit in the right arm. He continued fighting with his left hand until all three suspects were neutralized.

Mr. Sergio Ortiz Luis of the Eastern Police District Council of Elders and other civic groups led by Mr. Donald Dy of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Mr. John C. Kaw of the Federation of the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. also gave cash awards to Corpuz in recognition of his bravery beyond the call of duty.