Soccsksargen hero cop hailed by Napolcom

KORONADAL CITY - Police Master Sergeant Jerry Frugalidad Feo of the Regional Mobile Force, Police Regional Office (PRO) - 12 was among the three police officers who were given recognition and honor as National Awardees for Police Gallantry during a ceremony marking the 53rd Founding Anniversary of National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) at the agency’s central office in EDSA, Quezon City on September 6, 2019.

Citing official reports from the Regional Ad Hoc Search and Selection Committee, Feo was one of the police raiding team members acted swiftly and penetrated inside an identified safe-house of a Most Wanted Person at Zone 3, Block 4, Barangay Fatima, General Santos City.

It was about 2:15 a.m. of July 16, 2018 that Feo singlehandedly carried a 35-kilogram battering ram that he used to destroy the suspect's home door panel without delay and was able to draw first blood against Top 2 Leader of Maute-ISIS Group.

The target of police operation was the notorious maker of improvised explosive devises (IED), Najib Calimba Pundog (alias Najib Hussein) who was then hiding inside.

After quickly destroying the door panel of the target safe house, Feo was fired-upon by the hiding terrorist and was hit at his upper left shoulder. 

Despite his injuries, Feo managed to maintain composure and courageously fired back and tagged the hiding terrorist that shocked and surprised the latter, preventing him from removing the pin of the hand grenade that he was about to throw at the arriving government troops.

PMsgt. Feo’s exceptional bravery and conspicuous act of self-sacrifice of deciding to move on his own, destroying the door panel of the safe house without delay, that gave the element of surprise to the enemy and paved the way for other members of the Joint Law Enforcement Operations Group to have a clear view of the subjedct person.

It was followed by an exchanged of fires that led to the neutralization of the high profile terrorist Pundog who was the subject of DND Warrant of Arrest No. 1.

DILG Secretary and NAPOLCOM Chairperson Eduardo M. Año together NAPOLCOM top officials led by Vice Chairperson Executive Officer Atty. Rogelio T. Casurao, Commissioner Felizardo M. Serapio, Jr., Commissioner Zononida F. Brosas and Commissioner Job Mangente handed the plaque of commendation and cash award to PMsgt. Feo.

“The extraordinary courage and bravery displayed by PMsgt. Feo in a such highly risky circumstance serves as inspiration and is worthy of emulation by fellow police officers. It clearly manifests his commitment to serve and protect the people without fear,” NAPOLCOM Vice-Chairman and Executive Officer Atty. Rogelio T. Casurao said.