Cop who responded to robbery awarded

CEBU, Philippines - Police Regional Office–7 director Marcelo Garbo Jr. yesterday awarded PO2 Leah Juarez of the Cebu Provincial Intelligence Branch the “Medalya ng Kagalingan” for responding to a robbery last week.

Garbo said Juarez displayed unique heroism, adding that her courage and marksmanship skills are highly commendable.

Juarez also received P10,000 cash from an anonymous donor.

“Upon learning that last week there were critiques on the action of PO2 Juarez, the donor decided to donate P10,000 to dispel critiques for her,” Garbo said.

Juarez said she was only doing her job when she shot the robber who turned out to be a minor, adding that she was thankful for the recognition and donation.

“I am very happy for the recognition. It has given me peace of mind…I will offer this (recognition) to my daughter, my family and to my superiors,” she said.

PO2 Percival Perigo of Cebu Provincial Police Office also received the same medal for driving the motorcycle they used in pursing the minor robber and his cousin and accomplice, Richard Caburnay Baculi, 23.

Juarez was with Perigo when they spotted Reychel Juntar, 31, asking for help after she had been robbed on the sidewalk along Cardinal Rosales Ave.

Juntar was on her way to buy lunch when she was robbed by two men onboard a motorcycle who took her Apple iPhone 4S.

Juarez and Perigo chased the two and caught up with them at M. Velez St. in Barangay Guadalupe.

Juarez shot the passenger of the motorcycle after he allegedly tried to shoot them. He was later found to be a minor and died before he could reach the hospital.

Baculi got off the motorcycle and tried to flee on foot but was captured by Perigo.

Juarez said she recovered the cellular phone of the victim and confiscated a .45 cal. pistol from the minor.

Baculi admitted being the driver but denied any participation in the crime.

 CPPO also plans to award their own commendation to Juarez and Perigo today.

Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, director of the CPPO, said they were supposed to give the commendation yesterday but Garbo wanted the awarding done at the PRO-7 after the flag-raising.

Comendador added he will issue a service firearm to Juarez and make her choose between a .45 cal. pistol or a 9mm pistol because what Juarez used when he shot the robber was her personal .40 cal. pistol.

He explained that not all policemen in Cebu province have a service firearm because supply depends on the availability.

Meanwhile, Baculi was spared from spending a night in the Cebu City Jail after he posted bail.

Prosecutor Mario Edgardo Montenegro elevated the case to the court after accused chose not to undergo preliminary investigation to answer the allegations filed against him. He recommended the bail set at P200,000.  (FREEMAN)