PNP honors anti-drug cop slain in Rizal

SAN PEDRO CITY — The Philippine National Police (PNP) honored the anti-drug police officer killed in a recent buy-bust operation in Pililia town in Rizal province.

PNP Officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa conferred the “Medalya ng Kagalingan” (Medal of Merit) to Staff Sgt. Michael Cabillo.

The medal, engraved with a golden “kalasag” (shield) and an image of Lapu-lapu, was received by Cabillo’s wife at the wake of the police officer in Pililia on Saturday evening.

Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon (CALABARZON) police spokesperson Lt. Col. Chitadel Gaoiran said Sunday that the PNP recognized Cabillo’s “single act of heroism.”

Gamboa, with CALABARZON police director Brigadier Gen. Vicente Danao, also visited the two other policemen—Staff Sgt. Lazaro Guinao-wa and Patrolman Paul Ryan Santos—in the hospital and conferred the “Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting.”

The three police officers, all members of the Pililia police’s anti-drug team, carried out the buy bust operation against suspect Neser Tena in Barangay Bagumbayan on Oct. 25.

Cabillo was shot and killed as Tena attempted to flee and hide in an apartment. Once inside, Tena briefly held hostage nine children before he made a run, prompting the policemen to chase him.

Guinao-wa and Santos were wounded as they exhchanged shots with Tena, who was eventually hit and died on the scene. /je