Fallen Makati cops hailed as heroes

Makati Mayor Elenita Binay paid tribute yesterday to the bravery of the two Makati police officers who were killed during the Dec. 30 bombing incident at the city’s commercial and business district.

Binay also commended the Makati police department for its swift response to an emergency call placed by alert security guards at the Makati commercial district at the height of the holiday shopping rush.

The mayor said at the time of the incident, the commercial district was filled with thousands of shoppers from Makati and nearby towns and cities.

"The timely arrival and quick action of the Makati police averted a tragedy at the commercial districts that could have surpassed the carnage at the LRT. The local government and the people of Makati, and the general public, are ever grateful," Binay said.

At the same time, Binay said she would spearhead the forming of a foundation for the children of Makati policemen killed in the line of duty. The foundation, she said, would look after the education of children of deceased policemen.

The Makati City Council is also set to approve a resolution paying tribute to the selfless dedication to duty and the bravery of SPO4 Roberto Gutierrez and Inspector Nestor Salvador.

The resolution, authored by the members of the majority, described the two Makati police officers as "dedicated police officers whose supreme sacrifice both pains and inspires us in government to always put the interest of the public first."

The Makati mayor and Metropolitan Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Jejomar Binay had visited the wake of the two officers over the weekend.

Meanwhile, Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo proposed that the two police officers be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani cemetery.

Macapagal said the deaths of Gutierrez and Salvador clearly proved that the officers and men of the Philippine National Police are always and everywhere ready to lay down their lives anytime for the people, and the country.

"I am confident that the heroism of SPO4 Gutierrez and Inspector Salvador will serve as a shining example for the entire PNP. Let us bury them at the Libingan ng mga Bayani and let us pray for the eternal repose of their souls," Macapagal said.

Earlier, the Vice President personally extended her condolences to the families of Gutierrez and Salvador at the Loyola Memorial chapels in Guadalupe in Makati City.