Wounded cops to get medals for courage

CEBU, Philippines - For showing gallantry and courage, the two police operatives injured in a recent encounter in Barangay Inayawan, Cebu City will be receiving recognition from the Police Regional Office.

Chief Superintendent Prudencio Tom Bañas, PRO-7 director, will be personally awarding the Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting to Senior Police Officer 2 Julieto Bequilla and Police Officer 2 Phillip James Tanza who are assigned at the City Intelligence Branch of Cebu City Police Office.

Bequilla, Tanza and a police agent sustained gunshot wounds in a follow-up operation in Barangay Inayawan after the minor suspect engaged the police in a shootout.

The follow-up operation stemmed from a series of shooting incidents in the said barangay.

The minor was also wounded.

All of them are still recuperating after going through a medical operation in a private hospital in Cebu City.

“Immediately after nag-schedule ako na pumunta doon sa hospital for their pinning of PNP Wounded Personnel Medal but unfortunately ini-schedule ng doctor ang surgery nila on that day so I was not able to go there,” Bañas said.

Bañas was also called to report to Camp Crame on Tuesday and was able to return to Cebu last Wednesday afternoon.

He said he will ask Cebu City Police Office officer-in-charge Senior Superintendent Conrad Capa as to when they could visit the two police operatives in the hospital.

Bañas said the police already expect their lives to be at risk when they entered their chosen profession. 

On the part of Bequilla and Tanza, Bañas said they went to the area to enforce the law but were shot by the suspects.

“Kasama sa trabaho namin ‘yun. Law enforcement function ‘yun,” Bañas said.

Bañas reiterated that the regional headquarters is willing to cooperate with the CCPO in addressing the recent series of shooting incidents in Inayawan.

“It is a concerted effort in so far as the police organization is concerned. Whatever information we have na pwede i-relay sa kanila and pwede nating action-nan, we will do it,” he said.

Earlier, Regional Intelligence Division chief Superintendent Paul Labra said they are assisting the city police in gathering information on the identities of the remaining suspects who have been tagged responsible for the series of shootings in the area. (FREEMAN)