Toledo grenade blast, Injured cop gets cash aid from PNP

CEBU, Philippines - Police Regional Office-7 director Lani-O Nerez and Cebu Provincial Police Office director Jesus Gaquing immediately went to the South General Hospital in Naga City where the Toledo City policeman, who was injured during a grenade blast last Saturday, was brought for treatment.

Both officials extended their personal financial assistance to PO3 Revocato Gesite, who is now declared out of danger by his attending physician.

Gaquing confirmed one person was killed while two others, including a minor, was injured during the incident last Saturday in Sitio Harag, Barangay Talavera, Toledo City.

The family of the injured policeman would also received financial assistance from the Philippine National Police, which would shoulder his hospital expenses.

Gaquing said Gesite and his companions conducted a legitimate operation as they responded to an alarm reported by the residents. However, he said that he still has to get a special report from the Toledo City Police Station regarding the incident.

The CPPO director also stressed that every policeman had undergone training on how to respond on any alarm.

At around 4:05 p.m. last Saturday, the Toledo City police received a call from a concerned citizen informing about an alleged armed person.

Upon arriving in the area, Gesite and his colleagues saw Nelson Hernane, 39, resident of Barangay Daanlungsod and ordered him to surrender but the latter allegedly refused. 

Gesite was able to disarm Hernane of his .38 revolver with six live ammunitions but after he recovered the firearm, the latter allegedly pulled out a grenade and pulled off its pin that resulted to the explosion. Hernane was declared dead on arrival at the Toledo District Hospital while Gesite and two other civilians identified as Arturo Araba and a minor name Jamir Chavez were later transferred to South General Hospital. — Gabriel C. Bonjoc/WAB  (THE FREEMAN)