After Catmon shootout: Refresher course eyed for PRO-7 policemen

CEBU, Philippines - The regional director of the Police Regional Office – 7 is eyeing at having his men undergo a refresher course on responding to dangerous situations following a shootout Wednesday, which led to the death of a cop of the Catmon Police.

Chief Superintendent Prudencio Tom Bañas said the post-operation showed there were lapses committed by his men when they responded to the alarm in Catmon.

He did not elaborate on the supposed lapses.

“I looked into the report of the chief of police. Based on the initial report, I would consider na there would have been lapses on the part of our responding policemen. Ang importante kasi, dun alert ka,” Bañas said.

The shootout between the police and armed men led to the death of PO2 Dionisio Jurbina, as well as that of armed men, Lito Gumolon, 53, and King Lusifer, 41. Two other policemen, PO2 Rex Menchavez, 54, and PO2 Aaron Arizo, 35, were also injured.

Suspects Andrew Ocasla, 44, and Tomas Bracero, 27, were arrested.

“You are in a dangerous job. Take the necessary precautionary measures,” Bañas said yesterday.

“Pag may ganitong mga report or alarma, they should be on their toes. Huwag pakaang-kaang considering na yung pinuntahan nila na lugar medyo madilim hindi nila alam yung surroundings, hindi tactical ba,” he added.

It was past 7 p.m. last Wednesday when Menchavez, Jurbina and Arizo went to Sitio Buyo, Barangay Binongkalan on board a patrol car to verify a report of a group of suspicious men who had been in the area for two hours.

As soon as Jurbina approached a group of men by the road, one of them seemed to pull something from his bag so Jurbina grabbed him while Menchavez and Aron assisted in restraining the man.

Suddenly, a gunshot rang out and Jurbina fell, shot in the back of the head above his right ear by another man hiding in the bushes.

Menchavez and Arizo dropped down and a shootout ensued. Both of them ended up wounded but still managed to ask for backup.

Operatives from the Catmon, Sogod and Carmen police stations, as well as the Danao City Police Station Special Weapons and Tactics team, rushed to the area.

A subsequent shootout led to the death of Gumulon and Lusifer and the arrest of Ocasla and Bracero.

On the other suspects who eluded arrest, Bañas said, “Sooner or later, we have to get them.” — Ma. Fatima R. Secuya/JMO (FREEMAN)