Policeman's family sees no foul play in his death

CEBU – The family of PO1 Junrey Sanopao, the police officer who died last Wednesday following a routine exercise with the Regional Mobile Group, does not believe that foul play was involved in Sanopao’s death.

Sanopao’s younger brother, Jerson, said his brother may not have managed the training with RMG, considering that it has been two years since he underwent training with the Regional Training School-7.

He also reportedly gained weight within the two years, which may have hindered him to properly cope with the training at RMG.

Doctors said Sanopao died due to heat stroke and over fatigue.

Sanopao was jogging with his classmates in RMG in Sibonga town last Wednesday afternoon when he suddenly collapsed on their way towards Camp Ceperino Genovia.

Sanopao was sent to Sibonga last November 16, 2008 to undergo a program in scouting after two years under the Field Training Program.

Sanopao’s friends greeted him in tears, as his remains were brought to their residence in barangay Dumlog, Talisay City last Wednesday. Jerson said his brother was very kind to the family and to his friends. 

The eldest of four, Jerson said his brother has always wanted to become a policeman every since they were in high school.

Even if he finished Electronic Communications Engineering at the University of Cebu, Sanopao took the entrance examinations of the National Police Commission, which he failed three times.

Yet he did not give up and took the exam the fourth time in 2006 and eventually passed.

After undergoing the Regional Training Course, Sanopao was assigned to the Mandaue City Police Office and Cebu City Police Office under the Field Training Program and eventually to the camp in Sibonga town for his training in scouting.

After he collapsed last Wednesday, Sanopao was immediately brought to the Deiparine Medical Clinic. But after 20 minutes, the clinic advised that he be transferred to a hospital.

He was then brought to the South General Hospital in Naga City where he died. — Brenda D. Batuto/JMO (THE FREEMAN)