ILOILO CITY – A 42-year-old policeman drowned after he fell overboard during a patrol in the island-province of Guimaras on Wednesday night, Oct. 16.
GATINAO
The Guimaras Police Provincial Office (GPPO) identified the victim as Police Staff Sgt. Mechael Gatinao.
Gatinao, from Buenavista town assigned to the police station of neighboring Nueva Valenca municipality, was with a team conducting seaborne patrol and chasing a boat with illegal fishermen between Inampulugan and Malingin Islands when he accidentally fell off the patrol boat and drowned.
The team stopped to conduct search and rescue operation but Gatinao’s body was swept south to a coastal area in Sibunag town where it was found on Friday, Oct. 18.
The GPPO led by Police Col. Rhea Santos condoled with the family of the victim.
Police Lt. Col. Cecilia Hulleza, chief of the Personnel and Human Resource Management Unit of the GPPO, said that they are extending assistance to Gatinao’s family and help arrange a proper burial.