Assistance assured for two cops, who died while on duty

CEBU, Philippines - Two police officers in the province of Cebu who died while performing their respective duties will be given assistance by their higher office.

SPO1 Joselito Jopia, assigned at the Carmen Police Station as supply officer, finance officer, and as an investigator; and SPO1 Rito Garciano, assigned at the Poro Police Station (Camotes Island), both succumbed to cardiac arrest.

Senior Supt. Erson Digal, director of the Cebu Provincial Police Office, said that the assistance will be received by the immediate family of the said police officers.

A follow-up on their death claims, of the honors due them, as well as other pertinent matters will be facilitated by his office, Digal assured.

When asked whether the CPPO will be observing a half-mast as a gesture of respect to their comrades, Digal answered, “Dili lang siguro kay akong nabantayan nga sa una nga mag half-mast mi diri sa CPPO headquarters masundan man god.”

“Mag half-mast lang siguro didto na sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka station,” he added.

According to SPO2 Simplicio Gibo, desk officer of the Carmen Police Station, Jopia collapsed while he was detailed for crowd security during the “Sinulog sa Carmen” celebration in barangay Poblacion.

Jopia expired while on his way to the Danao City District Hospital after he was rushed there by his fellow operatives.

Gibo also said that Jopia had already told them that he was suffering from complications of an ailment which he had never elaborated on. Jopia became a policeman in 1986.

No details were given pertaining to the case of Garciano. — Gabriel C. Bonjoc/MEEV   (FREEMAN NEWS)