Traffic cop may have died of heat stroke

A 37-year-old police traffic “speed cop” who was working outdoors until 11 a.m. yesterday died of a heart attack, a possible victim of heat stroke.

SP01 Rommel Tibayan of the Traffic Group of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) had his helmet on but the day was particularly hot, said his boss.

Chief Insp. Aureo Sanchez told Cebu Daily News that Tibayan asked permission to go home around noon because he was not feeling well.

He said Tibayan had just finished doing “motorcycle stop operations along V. Sotto and S. Osmeña streets in barangay Tinago from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. yesterday.”

Rona Tibayan, the victim’s sister told CDN they rushed the police officer from their home in barangay Tungkil, Minglanilla town, to the Minglanilla District Hospital and later transferred him to the South General Hospital, where he died. He was earlier complaining of difficulty in breathing around 2 p.m.

“Doctors told us he died of cardiac arrest due to heat stroke,” Rona told CDN in Cebuano.

The temperature in Metro Cebu yesterday ranged from 26 to 32 degrees Celsius, according to Pagasa. The hottest day was last Saturday at 33.2 degrees.

Rona said her brother did not suffer high blood pressure and passed his physical fitness test last month.

Cebu Integrated Provincial Health Officer (IPHO) earlier issued a warning for the public to guard against heat stroke by staying out of the sun during peak hours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and to drink plenty of water.

Those with hypertension and cholesterol problems are also advised to stay indoors as much as possible./Reporter Rhea Ruth V. Rosell