Cop gets heroism medal in Cebu’s COVID fight

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

 

BACOLOD City – A police commissioned officer of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 was recognized for showing gallantry amid the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Police Major Antonio Benitez Jr. received a Philippine National Police (PNP) heroism medal from PRO-7 during the send-off ceremony of Western and Eastern augmentation forces at the Cebu City Sports Complex yesterday.

Benitez was assigned as contingent commander of 53 PRO-6 officers who augmented the Cebu police at the height of the COVID crisis there.

Benitez said they were sent back to the regional headquarters in Iloilo City when COVID cases in Cebu became manageable.

“We stayed in Cebu for two months and 14 days,” he added.

Benitez said it was very difficult to fight an unseen enemy.

“Init kag tugnaw, kulang sa tulog, 24 hours checkpoint operations, strict adherence sa health protocol pero ang mabudlay amu ang gin bilin mo imo pamilya,” he said.

Despite all the challenges and risks, he said they need to stand firm and continue the fight against the virus.

Caption. Police Major Antonio Benitez Jr. receives a PNP heroism medal from Police Brigadier General Albert Ignatius Ferro, PRO-7 director during the sendoff ceremony of Western and Eastern augmentation forces at Cebu City Sports Complex Monday. (Photo courtesy of PRO-6 COVID warriors)