29 cops commended for arrest of trader's "killer"

CEBU, Philippines – At least 29 police officers from the Cebu City Police Office were awarded by their director, Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador Jr., for arresting Philippine Army S/Sgt. Filomeno Amistad, allegedly one of two suspects who gunned down businesswoman Lalaine Jore along Gorordo Ave., barangay Camputhaw, last February 17.

Comendador said he is pleased and proud in commending his officers for a “job well done” with the arrest of Amistad. Certificates of commendation were given to the 29 police officers.

In his speech, Comendador told his policemen and policewomen that the arrest of Amistad is a significant one as it came from the heels of Leonardo Jastiva, Jr.’s case which allegedly “demoralized” the CCPO.

Jastiva, nationwide president of the International Missionary Society of Seventh-Day Adventist Church Reform Movement, was accused of masterminding the alleged kidnapping and killing of his own wife, Judith.

The CCPO chief said that the granting of the petition for writ of habeas corpus for Jastiva would not make the CCPO personnel downhearted.

The awardees, including three policewomen, comprise the four teams of the CCPO namely the Homicide Section, Investigation and Detection Management Branch, Mobile Patrol Group, and Special Weapons and Tactics Team.

The awardees were Chief Insp. Arnel Banzon, Sr.; Insp. Mario Monilar, SPO4 Jesus Moga, Jr.; SPO4 Alex Dacua, SPO1 Jay Yballe, SPO1 Adonis Dumpit, SPO1 Alfredo Petallar, SPO1 Rogelio Nedamo, SPO1 Henry Orbiso, and SPO1 Leopoldo Bauzon.

Other awardees were Chief Insp. George Ylanan, Sr. Insp. Aileen Recla, PO3s Rizalito Recongco, Lee Colina, Arnel Maglinte, Regalado de la Victoria, Uldarico Nengasca, Elmer Legaspi, Cliff Ediza, Edward Abatayo, Felix Gabijan, Rexy Tion, and Ruth Violango; PO2s Edario Manatad and Leroy Baguio; and PO1s Allain Dignos, Adriano Bacatan, and Roldan Lauron.

The security camera inside the Gorordo Convenience Store and Internet Café captured Amistad reportedly shooting to death Jore, 34, on the evening of February 17 while the latter was manning her store at Krizia Building on Gonzalez St. of the said barangay. — Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)