Cops to undergo gun-handling training

CEBU, Philippines — The Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 is set to reinforce gun-handling measures for cops, following the alleged accidental discharge of firearm that killed SPO1 Roderick Balili while on covert duties.

Senior Superintendent Renato Dugan, the chief of the PRO-7 Community Relations Office, said that there is an ongoing refresher for cops so that gun-handling skills will not turn rusty.

Dugan added that the death of Balili should also serve as a lesson on taking extra measures to ensure that guns are kept from anyone’s harm.

“The purpose is not only to prevent but also to enhance the capability of our personnel to handle firearms,” he said.

Balili was laid to rest at the Pardo Public Cemetery yesterday shortly before noon. He was given the 21-gun salute recognition by the regional headquarters, with his coffin donning the Philippine flag.

Balili was shoved to the spotlight after he was linked as the alleged gunman of slain PDEA agent Von Rian Tecson following the policeman’s hospital admission about the same time of Tecson’s death.

However, PRO-7 officials have belied the reports, saying that the timing was just “coincidental.”

Balili was hit after the car they were into hit a hump, as the driver reportedly handed over a firearm to the policeman.

Balili suffered two gunshot wounds to the chest.

However, Tecson’s driver, who survived the ambush, had testified that Tecson was able to shot the assailant in the chest.

Balili was taken to a hospital along Jones Avenue, from a hospital in Naga City. Balili did not make it alive even after blood transfusions.

Since then, the police have received severe criticisms from the public and Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña had accused the police are “coddling hired killers and housing them in PC Hills.” (FREEMAN)