'Medalya ng Kadakilaan' conferred to Igorot cop for De Lima hostage rescue

Mt. Province, Philippines – The Chief of Philippine National Police conferred on Monday, October 10, the “Medalya ng Kadakilaan” to PNP Headquarters Support Group Director, PCol. Mark Pespes for saving former Senator Leila De Lima, who was briefly taken hostage on Sunday at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame where she was detained.

Pespes, a native of Tadian, Mt. Province, was among the cops who negotiated and neutralized the hostage taker, Feliciano Sulayao Jr.

The police reported that Sulayao and two other notorious members of Abu Sayyaf namely, Idang Susukan and Arnel Cabintoy tried to flee the center.

As relayed by Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, Police Corporal Roger Agustin brought breakfast to the detainees when one of them repeatedly stabbed him with a fork, then opened the cell as they attempted to escape without their knowledge that there was a sniper above.

Refusing to yield, Susukan and Cabintoy were shot. Sulayao, however, was quick to move and ran towards the quarter of the former senator, with a thought that the cell would lead him to the exit.

“He tied and blindfolded the senator. He asked for a Hummer [vehicle] and a helicopter during the negotiations,” stated Abalos.

Pespes said the negotiation lasted for about 10-15 minutes until he took a chance to shoot the hostage taker.

“Nakikita natin na habang tumatagal, nagiging dangerous ang situation ng ating (dating) senador so we have to end the situation so dun napunta sa neutralization ni Sulayao,” he added.

Accordingly, Sulayao asked for a bottle of water that gave Pespes an opportunity to shoot him using his left hand.

The “decisive action” of Pespes was recognized by the Secretary of Department of the Interior and Local Government, Benjamin Abalos Jr.

The PNP Chief also awarded medals to the other personnel that led to the successful resolution of the incident. They were Capt. Michael Gobway, Police Master Sgt. Denver Lou Ngo-oc, Police Corporal Marvint Banigon, all members of PNP Special Action Force, HSS personnel Patrolman Lorenze Ian Matias, Police Chief Master Sgt. Jimmy Ferrer, and Police Corporal Rizza Pagaduan.

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