2 slain Cebu cops honored

CEBU, Philippines - The remains of two Cebuano Philippine National Police-Special Action Force members killed in an encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, last week received arrival honors befitting heroes yesterday morning at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

Past 4 a.m. yesterday Police Regional Office officials already gathered at the Most Important Person Lounge at the airport for the arrival honors of the remains of Police Officer 1 Windel Candano and PO1 Romeo Cempron.

Among those present were Deputy Regional Director for Operations Senior Superintendent Conrad Capa and Sr. Supt. Renato Dugan, Police Regional Office-7 Public Information Officer.

Dugan said 120 police officers including commissioned officers were part of the arrival honors. They came from the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, the Cebu City Police Office, the Cebu Provincial Police Office and the Airport Police.

The policemen formed two lines as the dolly carrying two boxes containing the caskets of the slain policemen approached.

Emotions emerged as the boxes were opened. Family members, policemen and observers struggled to contain their feelings, some could not hold back tears.

Pallbearers lifted the casket to their shoulders and an officer ordered the policemen to salute.

The PRO-7 Band started to play the tune “Nearer, My God, to Thee” and the pallbearers marched to its slow beat.

Before the caskets were taken to hearses the pallbearers stopped for about two minutes to put them on separate stands, but these was never opened.

After the ceremony PO1 Cempron’s body was brought to Saint Peter’s Funeral Homes in Mantuyong, Mandaue City, while PO1 Candano’s remains was brought directly to his house in Dumanjug town.

WINDEL

Michelle Candano said sometimes she think it’s not her husband, Windel, inside the casket because his face is beyond recognition.

“Di ko motuo nga siya kay di na mahitsura. Kahibawo ko siya pero akong gipatuo akong kaugalingon nga di siya. Lainan ko magtan-aw. Basta lain kaayo, di ko ka-explain,” she said.

She said her seven-year-old son was most affected by the incident.

“Pwerteng hilak pagkakita niya sa iyang papa. Mas grabe pa ang hilak sa amo. Kabuang mi og tabang sa akong papa,” she said.

Windel’s youngest sister Jane said her brother wanted to be present during the birthday of his son on January 24 — a day before the policeman was killed.

Windel was home for Christmas and for Jane’s birthday on December 30 since he was not allowed to take leave in time for his son’s birthday because of a major operation.

Jane said the last time she saw him was during her birthday when Windel danced with her and gave her his birthday message.

“First time to kay maulawon man akong kuya,” she said.

She recalled when Windel also reminded their mother and their other sister to attend to the needs of Michelle, almost as if he knew what was going to happen.

“Di daw pasagdan akong sister-in-law ug akong pag-umangkon. Paskwelahon daw,” she said.

Jane described her brother as a kind man.

“Grabe kabuotan sa akong kuya. Wa ko’y nailhang tawo nga kontra niya. Daghang salamat sa tanan, kuya. Sukad-sukad wa ko niya nadapatan. Daghang salamat sa tanan,” she said.

Windel’s family will hold a wake for six days in Lawaan, Dumanjug, and another two days in Sitio Bayabas, Barangay Basak–San Nicolas, Cebu City. Windel will be laid to rest at Cebu South Memorial Garden in Talisay City on February 8.

ROMEO

“Amping mo diha.”

This was the last message sent by Dr. Christine Cempron to her husband Romeo before the operation that led to his death.

“One thing that is sad is that there are so many things that you want to do but you cannot do it anymore,” she said. The two have been married for two years but still have no children.

It was around 1 a.m. Sunday when Romeo texted her that he had arrived in North Cotabato for an operation.

“Kung naa man gud na sila’y operation, as much as I can, dili ko maguna-una og text, maghulat lang ko sa text then I reply,” she said.

Christine said that she was busy the entire Sunday and wondered why he did not text again.

She eventually texted him saying “Kamusta ka hon?” Around 11 p.m., she received a call from an officer informing her that her husband was dead.

Now that he was dead Christine said she cannot help but remember how funny he could be. She said she will never forget when Romeo joked he gets a nosebleed whenever she spoke to him in English.

“Kung mag-English, mag-nosebleed gyud ‘to,” she said.

Christine admits that flowers and messages from thoughtful people seem to help but she cannot hide the feeling of not being okay.

“You don’t know how much it is appreciated, murag I always say nga it’s okay, but we’re trying to be okay, because maybe nag-ingon sila nga I’ll try not to cry in front, but when we’re alone, that’s the problem, I think your greatest enemy is yourself, you can’t hide anything from yourself,” she said.

JUSTICE

Michelle stressed their earnest desire to attain justice for the death of Windel and his comrades.

“Hustisya ra gyud among gusto. Mao ra gyud,” she said.

Christine said the president should have been on hand when the 44 coffins arrived in Taguig City Thursday.

“At first, honestly, same sentiments with the rest of the wives, we feel frustrated, but on the second day, they really took time, katung sa necrological service,” she said.

All she wants now is the speedy investigation into the incident that led to the death of her husband. — Bryner L. Diaz Christell, Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento and Fatima M. Tudtud/BRP (FREEMAN)