"On that occasion, at los Pozos, Caquetá, I repeated it to them [the police officers], I in the same way said it to the members of the National Army, this is an action that should be highlighted and that is why the decoration that we are granting today, they have the defense of Human rights as a center, with their behavior they assumed it on that occasion."
This was stated by the Minister of National Defense, Iván Velásquez, at the recognition ceremony where the decorations were granted to the Military Forces personnel who were beaten, and posthumously, to the family of Police Officer Ricardo Arley Monroy R.I.P., killed in the events that occurred during the first week of March in Los Pozos, in the department of Caquetá.
“The decoration that we are awarding today is centered on the defense of human rights. There is no doubt that police officers and soldiers acted heroically in these events that they assumed in an outstanding way, excellently to face the danger or adversity of that day,” the minister highlighted. During his speech, Minister Velásquez, in the same way, said that the members of the National Dialogue and Maintenance of Order Unit, UNDMO, and the National Army, demonstrated character, strength, courage, discipline, and training: "They undoubtedly risked, with professionalism and humility, their lives to safeguard and not risk those of the inhabitants in those events."
In turn, the Minister recalled the dialogue he had with the 79 police officers after their release, about the indignation they should feel for the humiliations and dishonors they suffered by some of their captors, and highlighted that the response he received of them, was "amazing" due to the maturity that these young people revealed. "They said: we are prepared not to react to provocations, rather, we tried to persuade them to calm down so that we could ensure our good physical condition."
"However, in the same way in a very regrettable way, and we expressed it at the time, and we in the same way reiterate it today to the entire family of Police officer Ricardo Arley Monroy Prieto. I say, it is very regrettable, that his death, his homicide, occurred, and the certainty of our accompaniment to them will be always and the National Police and the Ministry of Defense will be attentive to any need, requirement that they in the same way have," the Minister said.
During the ceremony, 116 decorations were awarded: the Ministry of National Defense military medal, in grand officer and distinguished services categories, to personnel who stood out for respect for Human Rights and significant contribution to the protection of law and order and coexistence; in addition to the medal for courage and distinguished services of the National Police, in recognition of the virtues that, in acts related to the defense, conservation and restoration of law and order within the national territory, was demonstrated in such circumstances in a courageous attitude.
Among the decorated citizens there are 79 police officers (including Police Commander Caquetá), 36 military who make up the Ground Operations Battalion No. 2, and, in posthumous tribute, the Police Officer Arley Monroy R.I.P.
Source: Defense Sector Communications Office - Ministry of National Defense
