At the same time, Atienza also assured full scholarships for Lazaro’s three children in city-run schools from elementary to college at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM).
Atienza conveyed the offer of assistance to the policeman’s 35-year-old widow, Leonora, during necrological rites held at the Western Police District (WPD) Headquarters at United Nations Avenue last Saturday.
"City Hall will extend all the help we could give to Lazaro’s family who died a hero while performing his duty to keep the city safe against lawless elements. Unfortunately, he had to pay with his life so others may be safe, but we will do all we can do to help his family," Atienza said.
The 35-year-old Tondo resident died in the line of duty past midnight last June 6 while accosting a carload of armed and drunk suspected criminals driving recklessly in the streets of Malate during the wee hours.
The incident resulted in a shootout, killing Lazaro, who was assigned at the WPD Mobile Patrol Unit.
He graduated from the basic police course in year 2000 and has three children namely: Brian Erick (five years old), Brent Edrick (three years old) and Ericka Marie (two years old).
The suspects allegedly belong to an organized crime syndicate linked to bank robberies and other related incidents in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Recovered from their vehicle after the shootout were one M-16 rifle with one magazine with three live ammunition rounds, one black bag containing bottles of beer and other liquor, two black bonnet masks one bandolier of five M-16 magazines.
Atienza asked WPD director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong to update him regularly on the developments of the case and operations to capture the other criminals.