Northern Samar execs mourn death of ‘selfless’ police chief

TACLOBAN CITY –– Officials of Northern Samar mourned the death of a police chief who accidentally hit his thigh with a gaff (tari) while trying to arrest persons engaged in an illegal cockfight on Monday.

Gov. Edwin Ongchuan described Police Lt. Christian Bolok, the head of San Jose Police Station in Northern Samar, as a “committed and selfless officer,” who gave up his life while enforcing the law.

Ongchuan, in a press statement, said the provincial government of Northern Samar has extended P50,000 in financial assistance to Bolok’s family.

Col. Arnel Apud, Northern Samar police director, said Bolok’s “untimely” death was a huge blow to the police organization.

“I have a heavy heart as we have lost a brother who sacrificed his life in the name of service,” Apud said.

“I already instructed the personnel and record section to immediately facilitate the needed documents to release the benefits for the bereaved family of Lieutenant Bolok,” he added.

San Jose town Mayor Clarence Dato said the local government has also provided financial assistance to the family of Bolok.

“We mourn the loss of our chief of police, Christian Bolok, who died in the performance of his duties. A dedicated law enforcer, he is a big loss not only to the PNP but to our community,” Dato said.

Bolok, 38, along with other policemen, went to the village of Manduyang in San Jose to check reports about an illegal cockfight, locally known as “tupada.”

Upon reaching the area, the policemen caught six suspects holding the tupada.

During a scuffle, however, Bolok, who assumed his post two weeks ago, accidentally hit his left thigh with a metal spur, a sharp-bladed weapon attached to cocks during cockfights locally known as “tari.”

Gov. Edwin Ongchuan has prohibited cockfights in the province after some people, who tested positive for SARS Cov2, the virus that causes the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), were found to have been engaged in street cockfights.

Bolok’s body lies at the provincial police headquarters and is set to be brought to his native town of Laoang, Northern Samar, where he will be buried.

Lt. Eleazar Arancillo takes his place as town police chief of San Jose.

ZB