Capitol honors NBI for tracking Rolex store robbery suspects

CEBU, Philippines - The provincial government yesterday gave commendation to 21 members and officers of the National Bureau of Investigation 7 for tracking down four suspects in the robbery heist in Greenbelt 5 last October 29.

“Allow me to not only hand you this commendation this morning but also to express the provincial government gratitude and support to the operations and support to the NBI because you have been vital together with the PNP and military in keeping our Cebu safe and secure,” said Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Garcia was in an official visit to China when the NBI tracked down an apartment in barangay Estaca in Compostela town where members of the Alvin Flores group were seeking refuge. All four suspects were killed in the operation last October 18.

Shortly after she came home, Garcia promised to give recognition to “all those involved in the operation.”

Garcia said that if the suspects were still free, they would most likely target major business establishments here in Cebu, or could harm the Cebuanos.

“Remember, that there will never be applause or commendation each time you perform your job, there will always be psychic reward. In a hand extended of a would-be victim that you have saved in the grateful fears of a mother whose child you were able to protect and in the unspoken thank you rings loud and clear in every Cebunao’s heart, that what should keep al of us going, and in the end, is it worth it? Yes, yes, yes. Even to the sacrifice of our own lives for our beloved Cebu. Cebu is worth it all,” Garcia said.

The awardees include: NBI 7 Regional Director Medardo De Lemos, head agent Ernesto Macabare, supervising agent Jose Ermie Monsanto, supervising agent Rennan Augustus Oliva, senior agent Gregorio Algoso Jr, Senior agent Reynaldo Villordon Jr., agent III Atty Bernard dela Cruz, special investigator IV Arnel Pura, Special investigator III Gregorio Tomagan Jr., special investigator III Jedidah Hife, special investigator III Teodoro Saavedra, special investigator III Florante Gaoiran, medico-legal officer II Dr. Rene Cam, laboratory technologist I Ronulfo Caes, NBI organic employees: Dennis Chiong, LEx Boniface Eric Ayag, Arnold Palma, Ruel Caballero and Leonardo Sumabat, and capitol detailed NBI personnel Gabriel Jadraque and Xerxes Baladya.

Garcia also promised to give to the NBI 1 one unit double-cab Kia 3700 for its operations; P100,000 as special fund for special operations; and another P500,000 to cover all legal expenses of the bureau.

“Gikan kanamong tanang mga Cebuano, daghan kaayong salamat kaninyong tanan mga maisugon. Nga nag-alagad sa Sugbo,” the governor said. — Liv G. Campo/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)