Mandaue mourns death of patrolman

CEBU, Philippines — The Philippine flag at the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) was flown at half-mast following the death of Patrolman Francis Guiza Bocade, who succumbed to Weil’s disease on August 9.

The Mandaue City Sangguniang Panlungsod expressed its condolences to Bocade’s family and recognized his service and sacrifice as a member of the Philippine National Police assigned to the City Mobile Force Company in Mandaue City.

In a resolution, the City Council said Bocade was admitted for medical treatment at 1 p.m. on August 8 but, despite medical intervention, died at 3:50 a.m. the following day.

Bocade was a resident of Barangay Calipayan in the Municipality of Dagami, Leyte.

Weil’s disease is a severe form of leptospirosis, a bacterial infection caused by Leptospira bacteria. It is commonly contracted through contact with water or soil contaminated by the urine of infected animals, particularly rats.

The infection can enter the body through cuts or wounds in the skin or through the eyes, nose or mouth. While leptospirosis can cause fever, headache, muscle pain and vomiting, severe cases may result in kidney and liver failure and other life-threatening complications.

The council said Bocade’s death was a great loss to his family, the PNP, the City Mobile Force Company and the Mandaue community where he served.

The resolution also conveyed the council’s deepest sympathy and condolences to Bocade’s bereaved family.

“To the family of Patrolman Francis G. Bocade, please know that your deep grief is shared by an entire community and the ultimate sacrifice of your beloved officer will forever be in Mandauehon’s heart,” Councilor Jennifer del Mar said.

Meanwhile, the MCPO said it has yet to receive Bocade’s death certificate when asked about the circumstances surrounding his death.

However, a trusted individual told media reporters yesterday, August 11, 2026, that Bocade had recently been deployed during a flooding incident in Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City, where he was reportedly exposed to floodwaters.

The circumstances of his exposure and whether this was related to his illness have yet to be officially confirmed by the police.  – Kristin De Dios/IHM