Cop who shot dead robber to get medal

CEBU, Philippines - The Police Regional Office-7 will give a Medalya ng Kagalingan to Police Officer 1 Jilbert Cabajar of the Regional Public Safety Battalion-7 after he neutralized a robber who victimized the supervisor of an establishment Wednesday night.

Chief Superintendent Noli Taliño, PRO-7 director, said Cabajar displayed valor in responding to the robbery incident, which happened in front of a drugstore on Colon Street, Barangay Kalubihan, Cebu City.

“Hindi lalampas sa atin yan. Bibigyan natin sila nang award na nuukol sa accomplishment,” Taliño said.

He said that while PRO-7 does not normally give any financial reward, he would see if they have resources to do so this time.

“Normally ang ginagawa natin ay nagbibigay ng award, magagamit pa nila sa kanilang promotion,” he said, adding that they would also see if Cabajar’s action is exemplary enough for them to recommend a meritorious promotion.

Cabajar was on board a public utility jeepney bound for Parkmall when he saw an unidentified man grabbing the sling bag of Jordan Dico, 59, a branch manager of an establishment.

Police Officer 1 Junil Temple, who responded to the incident, said  Dico, a  resident of Mactan Street, San Antonio Village, Barangay Apas, Cebu City, was about to close the store when the suspect arrived and forcibly took the bag from his possession.

Dico, however, refused to do so and grappled for the bag, forcing the suspect to shoot him.

Upon seeing the incident, Cabajar immediately disembarked from the PUJ and introduced himself as policeman, but the suspect, who was later identified as one Ryan Flores, allegedly fired at him using a .38 revolver.

Cabajar, who was armed with a 9 mm pistol, fired back and hit Flores, who was rushed to the Cebu City Medical Center but died along the way. Dico, on the other hand, is now recuperating in a private hospital.

Police Officer 3 Awing Tabayag and Police Officer 1 Alvin Lobingco, who were nearby when they received information on the incident, also responded to the area along with other police units.  (FREEMAN)