Police Regional Office 8 – Recently, Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO) showed gallantry in the face of a Hostage taking incident in the morning of September 9, 2014 at Brgy. 66 Paseo de Legaspi, Tacloban City.
PO2 Gregorio Garin Wabina, a SWAT member of TCPO did not miss his shot after the hostage/victim was seen almost losing her life from the hand of the hostage-taker who showed aggression of killing her.
The Hostage Taking incident lasted five (5) hours before the lethal force was made. The Crisis Management Team (CMT) with PSSUPT DOMINGO SAY CABILLAN, City Director, TCPO as the Ground Commander was too cautious to avoid harmful action against the hostage-taker.
All the necessary negotiations were made in order that the hostage taker will free his victim unharmed, but in as much as the CMT wanted to end the process harmless, because of the violence showed by the hostage taker and in defense of the hostage, lethal force was applied.
Meanwhile, a police officer after trying to appease a heated argument between two (2) civilians was shot on his left chest causing his life in danger.
PO1 Lory Banquil Solmeron, naturally a responsible individual presently assigned with the Regional Public Safety Battalion was brought to Tacloban Doctor’s Hospital on October 1, 2014 after a serious wound contained from the alleged “Señorita” or 22 cal. pistol used to fire by a certain Edgar Bacarisas who is the suspect of the incident.
Investigation disclosed that the civilians were arguing in the middle of the road creating commotion about a bicycle repair when PO1 Solmeron even on off duty did not hesitate to get in the middle of the argument and told them to settle things instead in front of a Brgy. Council because of the upheaval they create in the area, when unexpectedly suspect fired his gun towards the police officer.
PO1 Solmeron is now under medical treatment after a vital part of his lungs was hit. Suspect was arrested after a hot pursuit operation conducted by the SWAT Team and personnel of TCPO.
Further, a School Peacekeeper’s Team was launched on September 19, 2014 at the Rizal Central School, Tacloban City through the initiative of the Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO) with its City Director, PSSUPT DOMINGO SAY CABILLAN and PSINSP MA. BELLA DUQUE RENTUAYA, Chief PCR, TCPO.
The event was with full support from the Department of Education, Regional Office 8, especially from the Faculty and Administration of Rizal Central School headed by the school principal Mr. Edgar Tenasas.
The peacekeepers are composed of fifty (50) children from grades 4 to 6 of Rizal Central School with recommendation from teachers and those with the heart of serving their school community.
They were formally installed with the presence of their teachers, classmates and parents during the Launching Ceremony.
Rizal Central School served as the “Pilot School” for this endeavour, the project will continue in all elementary and high school institutions in the City, this way the PNP can promote conscientiousness among school children and help minimize if not eradicate school problems.
“I am happy about these accomplishments, let us just continue working and serving our people”, PCSUPT HENRY PELOBELLO LOSAÑES, PRO 8 Regional Director said in a conversation.
Indeed these things are manifestations that despite the PNP attacks and humiliations, the organization and its men never seize to offer genuine service.
