Slain Catmon police chief laid to rest

CEBU, Philippines - The late Senior Inspector Alexander Nuñez, the Catmon Police Station chief who was shot dead on Christmas Eve while responding to a domestic alarm among five brothers, has been laid to rest yesterday morning at the Sanctuary Memorial Garden, Danao City.

In her eulogy, Queen Bridgette, Alexander's wife, said that she does not know what her life will be without her husband. But she vowed to strive hard for the sake of their children.

Though, she said, she felt some relief knowing that even until his last breath, her husband was fulfilling his duty.

"Mao nalang na among hunahunaon. At least sad nga makuhaan gamay ang kasakit nga among gibati karon. For us, he died a hero," said Queen.

She described her husband as a peace lover who wanted peace and order in whichever police station he was assigned.

She also vowed to her late husband that she will strive to double her efforts to be the best mother and as well as father to their children.

"Maningkamot ko, Dong (referring to her late husband) nga mamahimo ko'ng best nga mama ug tatay sa atong mga anak."

She and Alexander met in Bohol and had been married for seven years. They have two sons aged six and three.

Anatalia Nuñez, the mother of Alexander, described her son as kind and helpful to his brother, and said that he never neglects them even after he was married.

Analita wished that the suspect who killed her son will be caught.

The police officer was killed on December 24 while responding to a commotion among the Jayson brothers – Carlito Ricardo, Camilo, Jaime and Carlo – in Carmen town.

The officer was supposed to pacify the brothers, but Carlito allegedly opened fire but missed Nuñez, who returned fire and hit him in the chest, which led to Carlito's death.

Carlito's brothers allegedly ganged up on Nuñez after he shot their brother and one of them shot Nuñez in the back of the head at close range using the police officer's gun, causing his immediate death.

Camilo, Ricardo and Carlo were later arrested in a hot pursuit operation, with Ricardo killed by police when he allegedly grabbed a gun and wounded a policeman while being booked at the Carmen Police Station. 

Camilo also died after he allegedly tried to grab the gun of another policeman in an attempt to escape as he was leading police to where his brother Jaime was supposedly hiding.

Jaime is still at large as police have issued a "dead or alive" capture order on him. (FREEMAN)