PNP to honor cop killed in Rizal drug bust

FILE: 3 COPS DISMISSED. Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge, Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa announces the dismissal of three policemen involved in the controversial anti-illegal drug operation in Antipolo City last May during a press conference at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Monday (Oct. 21, 2019). Gamboa identified the three as M/Sgt. Donald Roque, M/Sgt. Rommel Vital and Cpl. Romeo Gueredrero. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it will honor a police officer who was killed in a recent anti-illegal drug operation in Rizal province.

PNP officer-in-charge, Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, said Staff Sgt.

Michael Cayambas Cabillo will be feted with a Medalya ng Kagalingan (PNP Merit Medal).

Gamboa personally expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family of Cabillo and assured them of financial assistance.

“Time and again, we are deeply saddened as another fellow police officer offered supreme sacrifice in the line of our duty. PSSg. Cabillo is a living testament that the PNP is dead serious in the wage against illegal drugs and our pledge to serve and protect the Filipino people,” Gamboa said in a statement.

While she understands the perils of being a police officer, Mrs. Mary Joy, the hero cop’s widow, said she hopes someday no more police personnel will be slain by drug suspects.

The Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund Inc (PSMBFI) will also give PHP708,000 as financial assistance to the bereaved family. An initial cheque worth PHP243,000 was already given to Mrs. Cabillo.

Cabillo, a member of the Drug Enforcement Team (DET) of Pililia Municipal Police Station was killed during an anti-illegal drugs operation at Aida’s Farm in Barangay Bagumbayan in Pililia town last October 25.

Meanwhile, Gamboa also awarded Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting (PNP Wounded Personnel Medal) to Staff Sgt. Lazaro Maniwang Guinao-wa and Pat. Paul Ryan Malundas Santos, EOD/SWAT members of the Rizal Provincial Mobile Force Company, who served as backup force and were wounded during the operation.

Both officers are still under treatment at the PNP General Hospital in Camp Rafael T. Crame, Quezon City. They were also given financial assistance and initial PHP20,000 assistance each from the PSMBFI.