2016 News File
PD reminds cops: Use guns
to serve, protect the public
Following the tragic gunfight at Sikatuna Police Station which resulted to the death of two police officers, Senior Supt. Dennis Palo Agustin, Bohol PNP command director, reminded men and women in uniform to use their guns to "serve and protect the public."
"Police officers also have the duty to serve and protect each other as fellow civil servants, as brothers and sisters who should unite in the fight against criminality and against hoodlums in society," Agustin said in aninterview, noting that though the Sikatuna shooting was an isolated case, it should serve as a wake-up call to the entire police command in Bohol that internal conflicts should be addressed as early as possible before these become uncontrollable.
Agustin said there is a need to establish strong mechanisms on how to resolve conflicts among police officers in Bohol.
Gov. Edgar M. Chatto has called for a deeper probe on the Sikatuna incident. The governor is expected to issue additional press statements on this matter next week, after the holidays.
"Syempre hindi naman natin maiwasan ang misunderstanding dahil tayo ay tao lamang, at dahil na rin sa stress sa trabaho at sa araw-araw na pamumuhay," Agustin said, underscoring the fact that police need to manage their personal problems wisely without affecting their ability to execute their duties and responsibilities.
The PNP director said he is open to suggestions from well-meaning citizens and from local government officials on how they can extend help to police personnel in dealing with stress and conflict at the workplace.
"The incident has awakened our need for moral recovery and spiritual renewal among police officers," Agustin said.
He also called on chiefs of police in all towns to conduct weekly dialogue among their personnel and try to resolve out any internal rift at its earliest stage.
BE CALM
Agustin, on the other hand, reminded his men to be calm, especially when they have their service firearms with them.
This developed following the gruesome murder of a cop by a fellow police officer, who in turn got shot by another cop inside the Sikatuna police station.
Agustin admitted that he cried upon learning two of his men figured in a bizarre shooting incident.
He reminded his men to remain calm and composed and never resort to use their service firearms when angry or furious.
He said he was sad the incident happened after Christmas and when the whole nation was about to celebrate the New Year.
Reports reaching Camp Dagohoy in Tagbilaran said PO2 Marlon Balberan, 31, married, went to the town hall in Sikatuna seeking SPO2 Fidel Malig-on, 41. Both cops were residents of Loboc town.
Witnesses said Balberan confronted Malig-on, asking why the latter shamed the former's family.
The personal grudge went awry and has been seen as the motive behind the murder. Balberan opened fire and hit Malig-on three times on the midsection.
Balberan was shot by other cops after he shot Malig-on. Balberan was brought to the hospital after he was hit in his jaw, but was declared dead upon arrival.
Malig-on was rushed to Tagbilran's Gallares provincial hospital but expired later in the day, reports said. (DAVE ALBARADO)
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