Senate honors hero cop in MisOr school explosion

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte posthumously awards the Order of Lapu-Lapu Rank of Kalasag to the late Police Senior Master Sergeant Jason Magno as he visits the wake in Initao, Misamis Oriental on December 5, 2019. TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — The Senate on Monday adopted a resolution commending Police Senior Master Sergeant Jason Janog Magno for sacrificing his life to save the lives of students and teachers at the Initao College in Misamis Oriental last November 28.

Adopted was Senate Resolution No. 229, taking into consideration Senate Resolutions 231, 237 and 253 introduced by Senators Panfilo Lacson, Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Ramon Bong Revilla and Sonny Angara, respectively.

In the said resolution, Lacson pointed out that had it not been for Magno’s “bravery, heroism, and instinct to save lives,” students, teachers, as well as his fellow policemen would have perished on that fateful day.

“The Senate honors and commend the late Police Senior Master Sergeant Jason Magno for his extraordinary bravery, heroism and instinct to protect and save the lives of his fellow men at the cost of his own, going beyond his sworn duty to serve and to protect,” Lacson said.

Magno, a police explosive ordnance disposal specialist, and Master Sergeant Alice Balido were the first responders when a man ran amuck at Initao College and endangered the lives of the students and people there.

The two police officers tried to subdue the man, later identified as a certain Ibrahim Ampaso Basher, but the suspect pulled out the pin and lobbed the grenade at them.

Magno instinctively covered the grenade with his body, saving the lives of those around him.

“The selfless act of Police Master Sergeant Jason Magno should be emulated and recognized not only by the Philippine National Police (PNP) but by the entire country,” Lacson said.