CEBU CITY — The death of a policeman at the hands of a 16-year-old boy in Mandaue City, Cebu should serve as an eye-opener, the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO-7) said.

FELICIO
Police Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, chief of PRO-7, said that police officers should leave no room for complacency when responding to alarms after Police Staff Sgt. Orvin Seth Felicio was shot by a teenager in Barangay Banilad at past midnight on Saturday, July 27.
“This is a very sad reminder for us in the Philippine National Police (PNP) that our lives are always at risk,” said Police Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of Aberin.
Pelare said that during a command conference on Monday morning, July 29, Aberin reminded policemen to protect themselves at all times.
“We should always keep our guards up in all instances. Not only when on-duty but also when off-duty to avoid the unnecessary loss of lives,” Pelare said.
The 43-year-old Felicio was assigned to Station 5 of the Mandaue City Police Office.
The policeman was supposed to pick up his wife when he chanced upon personnel of the Barangay Police Security Office reprimanding a group of teenagers who were caught loitering during a curfew for minors in the barangay.
One of the teenagers ran, prompting Felicio to chase him.
During the chase, the boy drew a .38 caliber revolver and shot Felicio in the head, police said.
A manhunt operation was conducted but police failed to locate the boy. Several hours after the incident, the boy surrendered to his teacher, who later turned him over to the police.
Police learned that the boy is a member of Crips, a youth gang that has been involved in several atrocities.
The boy allegedly ran after seeing the police because he had a gun in his possession, police said.
Pelare said a murder charge will be filed against the boy.
The fallen policeman was survived by his wife and two children.
The PRO-7 assured that necessary assistance will be given to the policeman’s family.
“Aside from the benefits that he will receive from the PNP, the PRO-7 will also give significant assistance to the family to make sure that his children can continue with their studies,” said Pelare.