Wounded Caraga cop receives bravery medal, financial aid

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — A police officer injured during a checkpoint operation in Surigao City received a medal of bravery and financial assistance from the Police Regional Office 13 (PRO-13).

Brig. Gen. Marcial Mariano Magistrado IV, PRO-13 regional director, visited on Monday Patrolman Benjie Banaybanay at the Butuan Doctors Hospital and conferred on him the Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting (Wounded Personnel Medal) for injuries sustained in the line of duty.

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Banaybanay was injured on July 22 while manning a checkpoint along Borromeo Street in Barangay Taft, Surigao City.

According to police, a tricycle driven by a man identified only by the alias “Alvyn” failed to slow down as it approached the checkpoint and struck a warning sign, injuring Banaybanay.

The officer was initially taken to the Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao City for emergency treatment before being transferred to the Butuan Doctors Hospital for further medical care.

The medal was awarded under National Police Commission Memorandum Circular No. 2025-007 and Philippine National Police Memorandum Circular No. 2022-043.

Magistrado also provided financial assistance to the wounded officer, saying the police organization remains committed to supporting personnel injured while performing their duties.

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“Every police officer who puts his life on the line deserves not only recognition but also the full support of the organization,” Magistrado said.

He was joined during the hospital visit by Col. Marlon Kamatoy, chief of the Regional Comptrollership Division; Col. Pobleo Mariano Magistrado V, chief of the Regional Education and Training Division; and other PRO-13 officers./coa