Slain Isabela police chief buried with honors

Senior Supt. Mariano Rodriguez, Isabela police director, salutes the flag-draped coffin of slain Mallig police chief, Senior Inspector Michael Angelo Tubaña, who was buried on Tuesday (June 26) at the Ilagan Memorial Park in Ilagan City. Photo by Villamor Visaya Jr.

CITY OF ILAGAN, ISABELA – The police chief of Mallig town was laid to rest on Tuesday (June 26), after being given a 21-gun salute by the Philippine National Police.

White balloons were also released by the relatives and friends of Michael Angelo Tubaña, posthumously promoted to the rank of chief inspector, at the Ilagan Memorial Park in Barangay (village) Osmeña before noon.

Tubaña was killed during a June 17 drug operation by two youths, who were later captured in Kalinga province. He left behind his widow, Joanna Marie, and their two daughters.

Josue and Loida, Tubaña’s parents, said their son worked hard to complete a nursing course. But Tubaña decided to shift to a law enforcement career and had graduated at the Philippine National Police Academy in 2011.

“My birthplace [Mallig] became his place of death … the place where I served as postmaster,” Josue lamented.

Tubaña was described as a quiet, but confident commnander, by his PNPA classmates, Senior Inspector Krismar Angelo Casilana and Senior Inspector Aurea Avon Lohan.

Warren Bulauit, 19, and a 17-year-old accomplice, were charged for Tubaña’s murder.