PRO-7 refused city aid for wounded cop – Tom

CEBU, Philippines — The Police Regional Office (PRO) in Central Visayas reportedly refused to accept the medical assistance from the Cebu City government.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña said the city government through the City Hospitalization Assistance and Medicine Program (CHAMP) offered to shoulder the medical expenses of Police Officer 1 Berlino Ricafort, who was wounded when a man threw stones at him on Escario Street, Barangay Camputhaw, Cebu City last Monday.

Ricafort was reported forced to shoot the man, identified as Susanito Ellama, who was reportedly suffering from mental illness. Ellama succumbed to a gunshot wound to the head.

Last Tuesday, the mayor asked CHAMP Head Amor Villanueva to visit Ricafort at the hospital and offer help since the city extends P30,000 in cash for laboratory and hospital bills of a resident and registered voter of the city.

“Today (Wednesday), CHAMP was told that PO1 Ricafort is NOT ALLOWED by PRO-7 to accept any help from Cebu City or else he will be separated from his family and reassigned to Siquijor,” read Osmeña’s post on his official Facebook page.  But this was belied by PRO-7 Director Debold Sinas.

“I don’t think so na bawalan nako sila. If mo hatag sila mohatag sila, it is beyond me,” he said.

He said the aid would be a “waste of resources” since Ricafort’s medical expenses have already been covered by the PRO-7.

“We did it out of duty for our policeman. Now magdoble-doble sayang ang resources, na bawion nako akoa (police share of shouldering expenses), in lieu sa iyaha (Osmeña),” he said.

Sinas said it would be best to give the financial assistance to other policemen who may need it most.

“They came up second so useless. We are happy that he (Osmeña) committed but it’s not supposed to be a conflict wala na may issue. Kung nauna sila, amo ihatag, (but) there is nothing wrong, kaso lang I have already given my word, nga I will help him,” he said.

Ricafort was already discharged from the hospital and is set to undergo stress debriefing.

On September 17, Sinas will confer an additional medal on Ricafort. Last Tuesday, Sinas conferred the Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting award on Ricafort.

Also, Sinas said they will be awarding the loiterers and motorcycle drivers who helped Ricafort. (FREEMAN)