PHILIPPINE National Police chief Director General Oscar D. Albayalde yesterday pinned the PNP “Medalya ng Papuri” on two Manila policemen who bravely chased and arrested a fleeing snatcher, the whole incident caught on a video which went viral.
Given the PNP Medal of Commendation during the flag-raising rites at Camp Crame were Patrolman Jonathan Stanley Dionisio and Corporal Timothy John Cruz. The two were cited for displaying efficiency and devotion to duty when they arrested robbery-snatching suspect Angelo Gallardo at the Lagusnilad Underpass in Ermita, Manila on Friday last week.
A viral video showed Pat. Dionisio subduing the suspect following a long chase. The action was caught on camera by a netizen. The same award was given to Dionisio’s team leader Cpl. Cruz who helped him make the arrest.
Although Cruz was not seen in the viral video, it turned out that he helped Dionisio in chasing the suspect. The two are both members of the Special Mayor’s Reaction Team of the Manila Police District, who responded to a robbery incident at Lagusnilad Underpass.
In the video, Dionisio was seen chasing Gallardo who was accused of stealing a gold bracelet from a jeepney passenger. The suspect boarded another jeepney in a bid to escape but alighted and tried to flee anew when he saw the approaching Dionisio who eventually subdued and handcuffed him.
Gallardo was later brought to the Special Mayor’s Reaction team office but was released after the victim failed to identify the person who stole her bracelet.
According to PNP spokesman, Brigadier General Bernard M. Banac, although the suspect was released, the two were given the medals for displaying efficiency and devotion to duty, a trait which should be emulated by the rest of the police force.
