PNP chief, local officials recognize heroism of wounded Cebu cop

PNP Chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa INQUIRER file photo / MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

CEBU CITY—Philippine National Police chief Dir. Gen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa awarded a police officer who was hurt in a shootout with a murder suspect in  Barangay Dumlog, Talisay City, southern Cebu last Oct. 16.

Dela Rosa pinned on Wednesday morning the Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting (Wounded Personnel Medal) to PO3 David Naraja who was confined at Cebu Doctors Hospital for a gunshot wound in the face.

Aside from the medal, Naraja also received financial assistance from Camp Crame.

Naraja suffered a bullet wound in the face during a shootout with Jessie Largo, who was accused of killing of the son of a government worker last August.

Largo also died in the police operation at Deca Homes 3 in Barangay Dumlog, Talisay.

The suspect had been the subject of a manhunt operation after he was tagged as the one who shot and killed John Ronli Calizar, son of Ferliza Contratista who is an employee at the Philippine Information Agency in Central Visayas.

A cash reward of P200,000 was offered by the city governments of Mandaue and Talisay as well as the Office of the Presidential Assistant in the Visayas for anyone who had information that could lead to Largo’s arrest.

Mayors Tomas Osmeña  of Cebu City and Eduardo Gullas of Talisay City had separately visited Naraja in his room at Cebu Doctors’ Hospital and gave the police officer financial assistance.

Dr. Potenciano Larrazabal III, president of Cebu Doctors’ Hospital, also announced that the medical expenses of Naraja were waived and he will not be paying anything for his hospitalization. /jpv