Razon promotes cop in shootout with thieves

He had survived for the fourth time but Senior Police Officer 4 Antonio Espadero of the Manila Police District is willing to risk his life anytime to protect the citizenry he vowed to serve.

The courage of Espadero of the MPD Station 3 was not left unnoticed as Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr. ordered the spot promotion to one rank higher – police inspector. Aside from the spot promotion, Razon also said that the PNP will shoulder the hospital expenses of SPO4 Antonio Espadero who was shot and wounded by three robbers whom he accosted in Quiapo, Manila on Feb. 8.

Espadero was shot three times in the mouth by one of the robbers but miraculously the bullets merely stuck in his tongue and did not inflict serious damage. He was also shot in the body.

Razon vowed to personally coordinate with the National Police Commission (Napolcom) for Espadero’s promotion. Napolcom is the government agency in-charge of the promotion of police officers.

Espadero was on his way to work on board a public utility vehicle at around 7:30 p.m. when he spotted an apparent robbery incident in an FX taxi. He alighted from the PUV and accosted the holdup men. But one of the robbers suddenly approached Espadero, poked a .45 caliber pistol on his mouth and fired three shots. Although wounded, Espadero managed to pull out his service firearm and shot one of the robbers in the head and died on the spot.

The other robbers shot Espadero at the back but the bullet exited and miraculously did not inflict serious damage. The two other robbers managed to escape.

The Feb. 8 incident was the fourth time near-death encounter of Espadero. He said the first was in 1995 when he passed by a robbery incident in a Kowloon store also in Manila. He was also wounded but eventually recovered from the incident.

Espadero, who has been in the police service for 24 years, said his faith to the Lord and his belief to the Lord of Pardon was his secret weapon in surviving all the near-deadly encounters. He showed to Razon his Lord of Pardon prayer booklet when he was given award during the Talakayan sa Isyu ng Pulis (TSIP), a weekly forum sponsored by the PNP.

The courageous policemen still had the stitches in his tongue which he showed to media during interview.

Aside from being a devotee of the Lord of Pardon, Espadero credited his prayerful wife for his fortune to survive encounter with criminals. “Lagi po nya akong ipinagdadasal,” Espadero said of his wife. Espadero was with his wife Shirley and children Vanessa and Ericson.

Razon also announced that the PNP will reimburse all the hospital expenses of Espadero, and other monetary benefits for policemen who risked their lives and limbs during their tours of duty. – Cecille Suerte Felipe