The Quezon City’s People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) has conferred its first-ever Bayani ng Bayan award to the ground commander of the 2015 Special Action Force-led Mamasapano operation that resulted in the death of international terrorist Bin Hir, also known as Marwan.
Mayor Joy Belmonte and PLEB executive officer Rafael Calinisan bestowed the award to Lt. Col. Raymund 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 four countries—the United States, the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia— and had a $5 million bounty on his head from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and P7.4 million from the Philippine government.
The operation led to the death of 44 SAF members, known as the Gallant 44.
Train kept a low profile since the operation and this was the first time he went public to receive the PLEB award during the Quezon City government’s flag-raising ceremony.
“I admire Col. Train for his extraordinary strength and bravery for so many years just to serve our country. We are truly proud of him 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.