Hero cop in Misamis town honored with blood donation drive

INITAO, Misamis Oriental — To honor the sacrifice of a fallen local hero, Initao College here held on Friday, Oct. 9, the 7th PSMS Jason Magno Memorial Voluntary Blood Donation Drive.

The annual event pays tribute to Senior Master Sergeant Jason Magno, who gave his life on Nov. 27, 2019, when he fell on a grenade to shield students and teachers from its explosion inside the campus.

“Now in its seventh year, this annual blood donation drive serves as a meaningful tribute to PSMS Jason Magno, bringing together partners and community members in a shared commitment to saving lives through voluntary blood donation,” Initao College said in a statement.

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The blood drive was hosted by the Servus Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) – Initao, in partnership with Initao College’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) program, the Amai Pakpak Medical Center, the Rural Health Unit of Initao, and the Initao municipal government.

School administrators urged students, faculty, and local residents to participate, highlighting the life-saving impact of voluntary blood donations.

“Blood donation is a vital act of compassion that helps provide lifesaving blood for patients in need of emergency care, surgery, and other medical treatments,” the school added. “By donating blood, we can help save lives while honoring the memory and legacy of PSMS Jason Magno.”

Magno, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialist, was among the first responders when an armed man carrying a bladed weapon and a grenade entered the campus in Barangay Jampason during that fateful day in 2019.

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During the confrontation, Magno wrestled with the suspect over the explosive. Realizing the safety pin had already been pulled and the grenade dropped to the ground, Magno instinctively threw himself onto the device to absorb the blast.

While the heroic act took Magno’s life instantly, it prevented widespread tragedy and saved dozens of students and bystanders nearby.

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For his bravery and heroism, Magno was posthumously awarded the Medal of Valor — the highest military and police honor in the country — as well as the Order of Lapu-Lapu Magalong Medal. /das