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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Año honors fallen cops days before his exit at DILG

Año honors fallen cops days before his exit at DILG

Published Jun 20, 2022 01:28 pm

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año paid tribute on 307 policemen who died in the performance of duty.

During a flag-raising ceremony at Camp Crame in Quezon City, Año said cited the stories of some of them.

"The bravery and selfless acts exhibited by the 307 fallen men in uniform served as living proof of the law enforcers’ dedication and commitment to sacrifice their lives to maintain law and order in the country," said Año.

He narrated the heroism and supreme sacrifice of the three ‘fallen troops’ who preferred to face their own death rather than deal with the demise of many others.

Año said that in November 2019, Police Master Sgt. Jason J. Magno died in a grenade explosion at the Initao Community College in Misamis Oriental.

During a scuffle with a lawless man, the suspect hurled a grenade that landed on the cemented ground prompting Magno without hesitation to cover it with his body to prevent further damage and injury to the people in the area.

“Magno’s bravery is a story like no other as he showed his willingness to save many others even if he knew that such an act would take his own life,’’ Año said.

In another display of valor, Año recalled that in June 2019 PMSgt. Conrado A. Cabigao Jr. from the Police Regional Office in Southern Tagalog was killed while posing as the buyer of illegal drugs in an anti-narcotics operation.

In the transaction, Cabigao exercised restraint and maximum tolerance to capture the drug pusher alive but paid the price when the suspect shot him dead after sensing that he was dealing with a police officer.

“Cabigao’s tragic experience is indeed a classic example of how life-threatening drug operations are but our policemen still brave the operations for our war on drugs,’’ he added.

In Feb. 2020, Año disclosed that Police Capt. Efrem S. Espanto demonstrating exceptional sacrifice was killed in Janiuay, Iloilo during a fierce and gruelling gun-battle against the communist terrorist groups (CTGs).

“He (Espanto) was shot dead in a long and intense firefight while conducting major combat and clearing operations. Espanto’s account of heroism is a solid proof of how dedicated our personnel are even if that means giving everything they can for the neutralization of CTGs,’’ the DILG chief noted.

He said that Magno, Cabigao and Espanto were just three of the 307 fallen troops who sacrificed their lives in the name of public service with 56 killed in the anti-drug war, 160 in anti-criminality campaigns and 91 succumbed in their counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism drives.

Año pointed out that the country has ‘made gallant strides in our duty to serve and protect the people.’’

In six years, Año revealed that there has been a consistent downward trend in the country’s crime situation as reflected in the dwindling average monthly crime rate, national index crime rate and crime volume.

The DILG said that the law enforcers have conducted a wide array of campaigns against illegal gambling, loose firearms, private armed groups, wanted persons, communist terrorist groups, local terrorist groups, kidnap for ransom and illegal drugs that significantly contributed to the improved crime prevention ‘that we have unremittingly bannered in the Duterte administration.’

Together with Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge (OIC) PLt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr, Año commended the other former PNP chiefs he had worked with ‘for a job superbly done.’

“I owe all of you (former PNP chiefs) a deep debt of gratitude. You all have demonstrated the competence and character fitting and expected of a policeman. Above all, your tenacity has become your weapon as we combat the threats to peace and order, and fight to better the PNP’s good name,’’ Año stated.

At the tailend of his tenure as DILG chief, Año vowed to keep a watchful and guarded eye on the leadership and service of the PNP officials in a private capacity, ‘even in an unofficial capacity.’

Año will bow out as DILG chief on June 30 and will be succeeded by former metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Ben-hur Abalos. (Chito A. Chavez)

Related Tags

courage and dedication fallen police troops imporved peace and order DILG Eduardo Año 2
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