IMUS, Cavite, Philippines — Senior Superintendent John C. Bulalacao, Cavite Police Provincial Office (PPO) director, and 20 other police officers under his command have received the “Medalya ng Kagalingan” for their diligent drive against hijacking groups and the good handling of the botched robbery and three-hour hostage drama at a bank in Bacoor town last Thursday.

“Medalya ng Kagalingan” is one of the prestigious medals given to a policeman who has shown exemplary performance and courage in the drive against criminals and their activities.

Bulalacao and his officers namely Superintendent Romeo A. Baleros, chief of PPO Intelligence Division, and Superintendent Redrico A. Maranan, head of PPO Public Safety and Management Company (SMC), have neutralized the hijacking operation in Cavite with the implementation of "Oplan Aguinaldo" (an operational plan named after national hero General Emilio F. Aguinaldo) which they launched this month.

The "Oplan" is a monitoring operation scheme against high-profile criminals such as hijackers, bolt-cutter gang members and bank robbers.

Just this month, Bulalacao and his officers have eliminated five hijacking suspects, two alleged bolt-cutter gangmen and one bus holdup man in encounters in seperate areas in Cavite.

Bulalacao, Maranan, Superintendent Edgar B. Roquero, Bacoor police chief, and the other officers were also cited for their efforts in ending the hostage-taking incident at Masuwerte Rural Bank on Zapote Road with the surrender of four armed men and release of six victims without bloodshed and gunfire.