Tanod dies after 2 weeks in coma

CEBU, Philippines - A Basak-Pardo barangay tanod, who has been in a coma for two weeks after being shot by a robber, died shortly before midnight yesterday.

Danilo Cabaluna, 55, died at the intensive care unit of the Cebu City Medical Center at 11:20 p.m. He was rushed to the hospital last February 24 after he was shot and hit in the head by three jeepney robbers.

He was trying to arrest the fleeing robbers when he was shot by one of the suspects identified as Christopher Albo, alias Abay-Abay. Albo, of sitio Living Water, Basak-Pardo, is reportedly a known jeepney robber.

Basak-Pardo Barangay Captain Dave Tumulak said that Cabaluna was placed in the ICU three days before he was pronounced dead.

Tumulak said although Cabaluna could not speak because of the hose in his mouth, his reflexes were still okay and that he can open one of his eyes. However, his attending physician claimed that his condition worsened due to complications in his lungs.

Tumulak said Cabaluna has been a barangay tanod for 22 years already and admitted that he and Cabaluna’s fellow barangay tanods learned a lot of lesson from his death.

“We learned a lot of lesson… na dapat careful g’yud mi. Maghatag sad ni og kadasig namo to continue serve the public regardless of what may happen kay public servants man mi,” Tumulak told The FREEMAN.

The shooting of Cabaluna and that of another tanod in barangay Camputhaw a week earlier raised new calls to train and appropriately arm the roving tanods.

Tumulak said that after Cabaluna’s burial, they would continue with the case, requesting the police to conduct a thorough investigation. He is also seeking assistance from the public to give any information to the police on the case.

Meanwhile, the city government would be providing assistance to Cabaluna’s family. Mayor Tomas Osmeña earlier authorized a cash advance of P20,000 for the hospital bills of the victim.

The city government is offering P100,000 as reward for anyone who has the information that can lead to the arrest of the suspects. — Niña G. Sumacot/LPM (THE FREEMAN)