Brave cop does it again

A brave Manila policeman once again put his life on the line in Sampaloc, Manila, last week.

The new exploits of SPO1 Virgo Villareal of the Western Police District-Homicide Section became known to The STAR only yesterday when he reported for duty after being sidelined for a week by badly swollen left cheek.

Villareal said he had been hit in the face with a lead pipe by a murder suspect he was arresting.

Despite the staggering blow and his bleeding face, Villareal maintained his composure and merely fired a warning shot which cowed the suspect into surrendering.

WPD-Homicide section chief, Chief Inspector Juanito Taluban, and his colleagues commended Villareal for "exercising control in the midst of extreme danger."

Villareal, a martial arts expert, said it is not for him to mete justice to suspects, but the courts. "It is my principle to arrest a suspect alive and let him defend himself in the courts of justice," Villareal said.

Villareal and colleague SPO3 Victor Mirapanum responded to a crime last Sunday at 3447 San Jose st., Sampaloc.

Raymundo Endaya, 34, a mason, had allegedly stabbed to death Ben Magallanes, 36, a carpenter, who was cohabiting with the former’s live-in partner. Endaya was hiding on the second floor. As Villareal approached, he was suddenly struck in the face with a lead pipe.

A doctor who treated Villareal said had the blow been a little higher, it would have been fatal.

Villareal has reportedly placed his life at risk at least three times already to apprehend a suspect. For his dedication to duty, Villareal was named the WPD Investigator of the Year in 1998.

Meanwhile, senators led by Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. posthumously awarded the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Gold Medal to Police Officer-3 Rolando Abello for sacrificing his life in line of duty.

His companion, PO2 Guillermo Sartin, was commended for courageously doing his duty.

Abello died from bullet wounds while Sartin was seriously wounded when they were fired upon by a group of rowdy men on May 1.

"The courage and heroism exhibited in line of duty by PO3 Abello and PO2 Sartin exemplifies the best traditions of the Philippine National Police and is worthy of emulation," Senate Resolution 91 said.

Sen. Juan Flavier read the Senate resolution conferring the awards and recommending that Abello be promoted two ranks higher and Sartin one rank higher. – Nestor Etolle