Hometown burial for PDEA man

CEBU, Philippines - Former regional drug enforcement spokesperson and mediaman Jesus “Jessie” Tabanao was brought to his final resting place in his hometown Moalboal, Cebu yesterday.

In his homily, Monsignor Daniel Sanico reminded that God has greater plans for all of us man’s wisdom in understanding all that happens is limited.

“Kita nangandoy ug kaangayan. Justice. But this experience lets us realize that death levels all. Wala kiniy pili-on nga edad, estado, o unsa man,” he said, adding that the best thing to do is lift Tabanao to God so he could continue his journey in the afterlife.

Tabanao, 35, was gunned down before midnight last Sept. 14 on Escario St. after dropping by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7 to get his things after being reassigned to the CARAGA region starting Sept. 1.

He left behind his son Kurt Joshua, 9, and wife Katrina Kaye, who is due to give birth to their second son next month.

While declining media interview during the funeral, Katrina posted over her personal Facebook account shortly after his husband was laid to rest their plan to walk down the aisle to renew their marriage vows during their civil wedding anniversary on May 28, 2014.

“I would have loved to walk down the church aisle with you for our renewal of vows during our 10th civil wedding anniversary next year, a dream church wedding that will never happen anymore. But it’s okay, we once showed that love still stands when everything else has fallen,” Katrina said.

“Now, we will show death that love is stronger than him. That although love can’t stop death from happening, it can’t separate people from love, it can’t separate you from me and me from you. Death ends a life not a relationship. The almost a decade we shared together as husband and wife was worth it all,” she added.

Katrina said she could only forgive those behind her husband’s death if they could bring him back.

Yesterday, PDEA 7 agents wearing white long sleeves with black arm bands escorted his remains from his home in Barangay Balabagon to the town cemetery.

PDEA 7 Dirctor Lyndon Aspacio and predecessors Jigger Monterola and Julius Navales also attended the funeral.

Speaking at the Moalboal cemetery, Navales, who broke into tears, extended his “deepest sympathies” to Tabanao’s family and friends.

“It’s very hard to lose a very good person. We hope justice will be served soon. We will surely miss Jessie. Napakatraydor ng gumawa nito. Rest assured, justice will be served,” Navales said.

He said Tabanao was responsible for a very important first that has largely helped their agency in cracking down illegal drugs in the region.

“The radio program of PDEA is a first of its kind in the Philippines. This is through his efforts. The program has paved the way for information that led to successful major anti-illegal drugs operations. Siguro dahil nakita na tinik siya sa lalamunan nila, kaya nangyari ito sa kanya,” said Navales, who now works at the PDEA national office.

With Tabanao’s death, he said they plan to formally lobby with the Office of the President, to which PDEA is directly under, to recognize the dangers of the nature of their job and provide hazard pay to employees.

Tabanao previously worked in Bantay Radyo and Bombo Radyo stations in Cebu before joining PDEA.

The PDEA radio program that Tabanao anchored before he was reassigned to Mindanao is airing over DYRC radio station. (FREEMAN)