3 cops who foiled mall heist get cash

CEBU, Philippines - The three Cebu City Police personnel who responded and prevented a robbery inside the Robinson’s Place in September last year each received their P50,000 cash reward from the Cebu City Government yesterday.

Three envelopes containing P50,000 cash were handed over personally by Mayor Michael Rama to Police Officers 2 Elrich Jourdin Catacutan, Roy Ceniza and Ernesto Silva, Jr. in a simple ceremony at the Mayor’s Office.

Present during the turnover of the cash were Cebu City Police Director Ramon Melvin Buenafe and Peace Coordinating and Advisory Council Presiding Officer Eugene Elizalde.

Rama said the reward is in recognition of their gallantry and for risking their lives when their duties called for it.

Catacutan, Ceniza and Silva were recently awarded by their National Headquarters after their successful response to the robbery alarm. They were also promoted to PO2s from being PO1 during the heist.

Buenafe recalled before the media how the three policemen responded to the robbery alarm and led to the recovery of the P1.2 million.

Catacutan and Ceniza were hurt in a shootout after the suspects fired at them. They fired back and killed three robbers in the process. Catacutan and Ceniza sustained gunshot wounds in the chest and right leg, respectively.

Silva immediately alarmed the CCPO and called for back-up. All units were then dispatched and successfully prevented the robbery.

Three of the suspects died during the shootout while their leader, Junjun Cabando, fled but were arrested recently. Cabando’s live-in partner was also arrested while another cohort, a certain Francis, also died in a robbery attempt in Ozamis.

Buenafe said all suspects of the foiled robbery have been accounted for.

Ceniza said he will continue to serve the police force even after realizing the danger that awaits them in the field.

Before this reward, the three policemen also received donations and rewards from private individuals.     - THE FREEMAN