PHILIPPINE National Police chief Gen. Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. on Thursday pinned medals on nine members of the elite PNP Special Action Force who were wounded in a clash with a wanted drug dealer and gun-for-hire in Panamao, Sulu last September 22.

Joined by PNP-SAF director Maj.Gen. Rudolph B. Dimas, the top cop visited the wounded troopers in a hospital in Zamboanga City where they are currently recuperating from gunshot wounds sustained during the operation.

All nine SAF commandos are currently in stable condition under the close supervision of their attending physicians.

Before dawn of Sept. 22, the PNP-SAF commandos helped serve a warrant of arrest for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013 and murder against top anti-crime target Muksidal Jumadil in Barangay Seit Higad in Panamao, Sulu.

The search warrants were issued by the Parang, Sulu Regional Trial Court Branch 4.

However, the suspect who was armed with an automatic rifle immediately opened fire at the lawmen hitting the victims before he was killed on the spot.

The slain suspect was tagged as the primary suspect in the brutal killing of Nurdija Dammang Aminuddin, a small-town businesswoman in Bgy. Kanmindus in Luuk, Sulu whose chopped body parts were found scattered in different areas in the same village.

During his visit, Gen. Acorda awarded the wounded PNP-SAF personnel with the PNP Medalya ng Kadakilaan or PNP Heroism Medal and Medalya Ng Sugatang Magiting or the PNP Wounded Personnel Medal in recognition of their valor and sacrifice.

He also handed financial assistance to the nine policemen identified as Captain Nolie Agmaliw, Lieutenants Jhorlino Rico Apal and Earl Abdurajan III, Corporals Reymir Subion, Lindo Macua, Oliver Alviar and Andres Dalang and Patrolmen Lionel Surverdez and Edison Ray Paris.

Acorda expressed his admiration to the heroism displayed by the nine SAF commandos even as he emphasized the importance of prioritizing the safety of all police personnel during operations.

“While we salute the valor of our personnel, the safety of our colleagues is our paramount concern. Tayo ay palagiang mag-ingat lalo na sa mga notorious individual na katulad ni Jumadil na sumugat sa ating mga kasamahan. Iisa lang ang ating buhay, kaya ito’y ating pahalagahan at pakakaingatan para sa ating pamilya,” he said.

The place of the encounter was described as a main ‘transshipment point’ for shabu of the slain suspect.

A chamber-loaded M-14 assault rifle with a magazine containing several live ammunition was recovered from the possession of the deceased. The records of the weapon is still being checked by the local police.