Gov commends cops in hostage-taking incident

CEBU, Philippines - The policemen who responded to the hostage-taking incident in Toledo City were commended by the Cebu provincial government.

In a brief ceremony yesterday morning at the Provincial Capitol, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia handed over a plaque as governor’s commendation to PO3 Arman Enriquez of Toledo City Police Station, who shot and killed the hostage-taker.

Cebu Provincial Police Office director Patrocinio Comendador, who served as the group commander during the Dec. 22 hostage-taking incident, was also given the same commendation.

Certificates of recognition were handed over to eight officers of the Special Reaction Unit and to three other officers of Toledo City Police Station.

There may be other achievements of the CPPO, Garcia said, but she decided to give the commendation yesterday, primarily because the incident involved children, those constituents who are “closest to her heart.”

“Tungod sa inyong gihimo, dunay tulo ka kinabuhi naluwas,” she told the police officers.

The governor also told Enriquez that he did the right thing when he shot Allan Bolo, the hostage-taker.

Garcia said this after learning from news reports that the police officer was sad that another life was wasted especially that it was Christmas season.

“We make difficult decisions in this journey called life and we reach a crossroad where we have to take difficult positions and subsequently take action. I believe, you did the right thing,” Garcia said, referring to Enriquez.

Enriquez, who appeared humble and shy during the entire ceremony, thanked the governor for acknowledging his and his colleagues’ effort.

Comendador also thanked the governor for the recognition.

“We’ll treasure this recognition given to us because we believe that not only police can be compensated with money, but also with motivation to do better,” Comendador said.

The CPPO director said this is the third hostage-taking incident that took place in Cebu in less than a year; the first in Dumanjug and then in Borbon.

“Luckily, we have safely rescued the hostages and we are just hopeful and keeping our fingers crossed that we will be able to deal with the same efficiency and swiftness in the incidents to come. Hopefully, such incidents will never happen again,” he said.

Insp. George Macapobre, Insp. Bonifacio Lucerna, and PO3 Eliseo Paquit of the Toledo Police also received awards.

From the SRU, Chief Insp. Ali Baron, SPO1 Ybone Illustrisimo, SPO1Leo Susvilla, PO2 Dante Teano, PO2 Victor Muscoso, PO1 Persival Perigo, PO1 Edward Vincent Ompoy, and PO1 Danilo Sala were awarded.

 “Because of your professional and competent performance, you have made the province of Cebu safer and you saved the lives of three Cebuanos, who someday will remember you for your great deeds,” the governor said, concluding her brief speech.

The said policemen successfully rescued the three children who were held hostage in Sitio Danawan, Barangay Biga, Toledo City

Enriquez, who shot Bolo, also claimed that he was forced to shoot the suspect after seeing him hack one of the three victims. — (FREEMAN)