Catmon shootout: Wounded cops get award

CEBU, Philippines - The Police Regional Office-7 has awarded the two Catmon town policemen who were injured in a shootout with suspected criminal elements last week.

PRO-7 director Chief Superintendent Prudencio Tom Bañas conferred the Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting on Senior Police Officer 2 Rex Menchavez and Police Officer 2 Arron Benjamin Arizo.

A posthumous award was also given to PO2 Dionesio Jurbina who was killed in action during the encounter with the alleged members of Pistalis cult, a breakaway group of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association believed to be involved in several criminal activities in Cebu.

Bañas said the wounded personnel medal was just a preliminary recognition given to the injured policemen for taking the risk of their work and responsibility.

He said another medal for their accomplishment in stopping the criminal elements will be given to them based on their performance during the incident.

“We’re waiting for the after-operation report of the police chief that will also be the basis for determining what kind of medal will be awarded. Kung medalya ng kagalingan, kagitingan o kasanayan,” said Bañas.

Bañas said the incident has opened the eyes of the public to the risk that policemen are taking everyday.

 “So yun nakikita n’yo na yung day-to-day activities or the performance of the different duties and responsibilities ng mga kapulisan natin. Ila gihalad ang ilang kinabuhi in the service of the country and people. And anytime, anytime talaga, we really do not know the dangers that may confront us,” said Bañas.

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento also visited the police personnel involved in the shootout, including the wake of Jurbina.

“Si Secretary (Sarmiento) nagpunta na dito kahapon. He visited Arizo and also sergeant Menchavez and the family of the late Jurbina to express their appreciation for what they have done, the sacrifices in order to maintain the peace and order in our different communities,” said Bañas.

He said Sarmiento was touched with the words of the 11-year-old daughter of Jurbina who also wanted to follow the footsteps of her father.

“Nag-ingon siya nga di na siya mohilak kay kahibawo siya that his father died as a hero,” said Bañas quoting Jurbina’s daughter.

Sarmiento reportedly assured the family of Jurbina that the government will take care of the daughter’s education until college.

 “We will help them, assist them in scholarship program hanggang mag-college and kumuha siya ng criminology and hopefully someday, she will become a police officer just like her father,” said Bañas.

It was past 7 p.m. on Wednesday when Jurbina, Menchavez and Arizo responded to a call from a concerned citizen about a group of suspicious persons in Sitio Buyo, Barangay Binongkalan, Catmon town.

The team chanced upon the suspicious group along the highway and tried to accost them. However, the policemen were fired upon resulting in the death of Jurbina and the injuries of Menchavez and Arizo.

The shootout also resulted in the death of the two of the suspects, Lito Gumolon and a certain King Siroy Porgatorio Lusifer, and the arrest of Andrew Ocasla and Tomas Bracero.

Charges

Criminal charges have been filed against Ocasla and Bracero before the Regional Trial Court.

State prosecutor Rustom Presas Jr. indicted Ocasla and Bracero for violation of the Republic Act 9516 and R.A. 9165, respectively.

Ocasla was caught in possession of hand grenade while Bracero was caught in possession of illegal drugs.

The prosecutor’s office recommended no bail for Ocasla while P200,000 for Bracero’s temporary liberty. (FREEMAN)