PNPA class 2009 shave heads as sympathy for 3 batchmates

LEGAZPI CITY–Nineteen senior inspectors who head various municipal police offices in Bicol region have shaved their heads to show sympathy for the bereaved families of their three batchmates, all members of Class of 2009 (Kaisang Bisig) of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA), who died in the Maguindanao carnage.

Their female batchmate, Senior Insp. Sheena Guzman, chief of police of Canaman town in Camarines Sur, also cut her hair close to her scalp to show solidarity with the families of their batchmates who were killed in the carnage: Max Jim Tria of Virac, Catanduanes; John Garry Erand of Zamboanga City, and Gednat Tabdi of Benquet—all senior inspectors, which is equivalent to the rank of captain in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Losing three of the batchmates “was just like losing a beloved family member,” she said.

Senior Insp. Bon Billy Timuat, police chief of Claveria, Masbate, said this was the second time they had their heads shaved. The first time was when they were in their second year as cadets at PNPA when they had their first “skinhead” haircut.

Timuat, who sported a “09” figure at the back of his shaved head to emphasize the batch and year they graduated, said the death of his batchmates “was very hard and painful to accept.”

Other batchmates of the fallen policemen also cried for justice for the slain policemen.

Senior Insp. Rey Anthony Villanueva, assigned at the Regional Intelligence Division of the PNP in Bicol, said he believed what happened in Mamasapano was a “massacre.”

He said his batchmates could only find comfort if the deaths of the slain PNP-SAF men would be given justice. “We will carry the pain for as long as we live.”

“What we want is justice,” was the common plea of Senior Insp. Domingo Tapel, who is assigned at the Legazpi police; Senior Insp. Jonnel Averilla, officer in charge of the police office in Pio Duran, Albay, and Senior Insp. Glaiza Marie Padua, chief of police of Sto. Domingo, Albay.

Senior Insp. Johnwen Balueta, police chief of Manito, Albay, said his batchmates died in a legitimate police operation. “They went there (Mamasapano) to implement the search warrant of the identified terrorist and not to engage in a war,” he said.

“For now what I can offer is prayer and personally condole to the family,” said Senior Insp. Jan King Calipay, officer in charge at Polangui Municipal Police Office in Albay.