THE Quezon City’s People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) has conferred the first-ever “Bayani ng Bayan” award on the ground commander who led the 2015 Special Action Force-led Mamasapano operation that resulted in the death of international terrorist Bin Hir, or alias “Marwan.”

QC Mayor Joy Belmonte and PLEB Executive Officer Atty. Rafael Calinisan bestowed the award to P/Lt.Col. Raymund Train during last Monday’s flag-raising ceremony at the QC hall compound.

The award was given to Train for his acts of “conspicuous courage and gallantry at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty during the said operation.”

Marwan was wanted in no less than four countries, the United States, Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia – had a $5 million bounty on his head from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and P7.4 million from the Philippine government.

However, the operation led to the death of 44 SAF members, collectively known as the “Gallant 44.”

Train kept a low profile since the operation; this was the first time he went public to receive the PLEB award.

“Lt. Col. Train, hanga kami sa iyong kakaibang lakas ng loob at angking kagalingan na ipinamalas sa loob ng ilang taon na paglilingkod sa ating bansa. Lubos kang ipinagmamalaki ng buong Lungsod Quezon. Hiling ko na maging modelo ka hindi lamang sa ating mga Pulis QC, kundi sa lahat ng ating mga mamamayan,” Belmonte said.

“We should strive to be like Lt. Col. Train: selfless service beyond the call of duty. I am one with the citizens of Quezon City in conferring this award to this most deserving QCitizen, Lt. Col. Train.

This award is given so that his heroism will never be forgotten,” she added.

Calinisan disclosed that it took them more than a year to convince Train to receive the award.

“All these years, Lt. Col. Train has chosen to be anonymous and under the radar. It is about time that we get to share Lt. Col. Train’s story [with] the public. His story needs to be shared and immortalized to further inspire patriotism in every Filipino,” Calinisan said.

Calinisan added that Train embodies what it is to be a “model policeman” of this generation.

“I am thankful that he chose PLEB as his venue to come out and be recognized. Sadly, he was not promoted for his heroic acts during that time, and his promotion [was] seven years too late. With this award, we just want that the heroism of Lt. Col. Train and the SAF 44 will not go unnoticed,” added Calinisan.

“With pride and gratitude, I accept this award, not just for myself, but also to give honor to my brothers in arms who have painstakingly given the ultimate sacrifice in exchange for lasting peace to the whole Filipino people,” said Train.

Train stressed that the dedication and gallantry of his brothers in arms represent the nation’s history with a long story of patriotism and honor.

“Their lives, legacy and heroism for the entire Filipino nation will remain forever etched in history,” he added, saying the Filipino people should do their part in honoring those who sacrificed their lives in the name of peace.