PIB cop is one of Phl’s best

CEBU, Philippines - An investigator of the Provincial Intelligence Branch has been named one of the most outstanding policemen in the country in a search by the Metrobank Foundation.

SPO1 Reynaldo Solante, team leader, is one of the six non-commissioned police officers chosen from across the country and the only policeman from Region-7. Four commissioned police officers round up the Top 10.

The award will be given formally by President Benigno Aquino III and Philippine National Police Chief Alan Purisima on September 5 in Manila.

Solante told The FREEMAN that the award will justify the number of times his job has brought him away from important events of his family.

“Mao na gyud ning panahona nga ma-justify ang mga higayon nga wala ko sa ilang kiliran nga halos wala ko sa balay tungod sa atong pagpanarbaho nga nakahatag ug collateral damage sa pamilya ilabi na intelligence work,” Solante said.

Solante presented to the foundation seven accomplishments that include crime solution and prevention, as well as community service.

One of his major accomplishments was building the case in the assassination plot against Balamban Vice Mayor Joel Dumdum last February, which led to the arrest of suspects Jonathan Rubi and Edgar Escalante.

Escalante died at the hospital while Rubi was injured in an encounter with the police.

Police seized from the suspects a .45 KG45 submachine pistol with 35 live bullets; 9mm KG9 submachine pistol with 32 live bullets; .45 Para Ordinance pistol with seven live bullets; and a .45 Colt MKIV pistol with five live bullets.

Another of Escalante’s accomplishments was the raid in Barangay Pulpogan, Consolacion in March 2013 during which four members of a criminal group were killed and two others were arrested. Several firearms, hand grenades and assorted packets of shabu were also confiscated during that operation.

The operation was carried out by virtue of a search warrant issued by Judge Teresita Galanida of the Regional Trial Court in Mandaue City.

On January 2012, Solante’s team killed James Harold Barbero, suspect in the robbery and murder of a certain Juan Carlos Villordon, during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City. Seized from Barbero were two .45 pistol and a hand grenade.

Solante encouraged his fellow law enforcement officers to put their heart into the service even if their sacrifice does not entail any reward.

“Tinuoray ug kinasing-kasing nga pagpanerbisyo nga kung unsay kinahanglan sa komunidad atong ma-address dayon,” Solante said. – (FREEMAN)