21-gun salute for Bontuyan

CEBU, Philippines — The family of slain police captain Delfin Bontuyan said his unit has requested for him to be given a 21-gun salute as he will be laid to rest on Thursday, May 30, 2019.

Christine Claire Bontuyan, Delfin’s only daughter, said his father’s unit, the regional headquarters of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, submitted a memorandum to the Police Regional Office-7 requesting the salute.

“Nag-process na ang PRO-ARMM para sa honors ni papa. Gipakita na pud mi nila sa memorandum na gi-send to PRO-7. Sila na nag-handle kay sila ang unit ni Papa. Our family is in close coordination with PRO-ARMM,” she said.

Earlier, PRO-7 Director Debold Sinas said that a 21-gun salute is automatically given if the personnel belonged to the regional headquarters. But since, Bontuyan was last assigned in PRO-ARMM the request can either come from his regional assignment or from his family.

A 21-gun salute is a military and law enforcement tradition taken from the US military to see off a serviceman to his final resting place. It is done by a team of three honor guards, firing shots using a rifle.

The ceremony is done as an indication that the person being laid to rest was cleared and properly cared for.

He explained that although Bontuyan’s name was included in an intelligence report for alleged involvement in the illegal drugs business, his death is a separate case.

He also said Bontuyan was even shot while participating in an operation against drugs back when he was still with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 before he was transferred to Jolo, Sulu, in 2016.

Meanwhile, the Mabolo Police Station is still looking into his murder. Police Master Sergeant Antonio Din said that they are expecting the results of the examination on the SD card and cellphone of Bontuyan soon.

Bontuyan was shot dead at the North Reclamation Area last May 21 as he left a hearing at the Cebu City Hall of Justice. (FREEMAN)