Slain cop's kids to get scholarship up to college

CEBU, Philippines — The four children of the police officer who died in a recent anti-drug operation in Minglanilla town will be scholars from elementary up to college.

This was revealed by National Police Commission (Napolcom) -7 Director Atty. Homer Cabaral.

Cabaral said Napolcom will give scholarship grants to PO2 Evie Espina’s four kids from elementary to tertiary education while his wife will receive death gratuity and burial benefits.

Espina also received commendations for his bravery during the buy-bust operation against Jovilio Franza, a high value target, on Monday at Sitio Bacay, Barangay Tulay.

Franza was also killed during the operation but his live in partner Evangeline Briones and his son escaped.

Several officials went to Espina’s wake and extended condolences to the family yesterday.

Cabaral also went to the wake and awarded Espina a certificate of commendation.

Last Tuesday, Minglanilla Mayor Elanito Peña commended the team that conducted the operation against Franza and gave a posthumous award to Espina.

The bereaved family will receive financial assistance from the local government of Minglanilla and Cebu provincial government.

On the other hand, Briones reportedly visited the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to seek justice for Franza.

Cabaral said that it is their right and Napolcom will extend legal support to the police officers if Franza’s relatives will file a case against them.

PO2 Espina is the first casualty on the side of the police since anti-drug operations resumed.

Cabaral hopes that there will be no more police fatality during future operations.

He said what happened will motivate other policemen to be more active in the fight against illegal drugs.

SPO1 Mikie Espina, the slain officer’s brother, is thankful for the assistance that they received.

On the other hand, Police Officer 3 Gilmer Noval, investigator of the case, said that an autopsy examination was conducted on Espina’s body and a slug was extracted from his head.

The slug was submitted to the PNP crime laboratory for cross matching with the two firearms recovered during the operation.

There was also a request of autopsy on Franza’s body but it would be up to the family if they will give their permission.

Noval said they are willing to cooperate with the CHR if they will conduct an investigation.

He added that the operation was legitimate and well-coordinated with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). (FREEMAN)