Grief, anger, frustration in fallen cop’s burial

ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat—Tears, anger and frustration shadowed the journey of PO2 Roger Cordero to his final resting place here on Saturday.

Cordero, one of the 44 police commandos who died in the Jan. 25 operation that resulted in the killing of Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” was described by his wife, Ellen, as “more than just a hero.”

“Marwan is dead, but it cost the lives of 44 police commandos, including my very inspiration, love and soul mate Roger,” Ellen said in between sobs as members of the Special Action Force (SAF), family, relatives, friends, local officials and fraternity brothers in Alpha Phi Omega brought him to his resting place.

Gunfire, yelling and wailing enveloped the solemn rites officiated by ministers of the Alliance Church, while balloons floated into the air.

“He is Isulan’s bayaning anak ng bayan,” one streamer said.

The SAF performed a gun salute before Cordero’s coffin was closed. Some policemen and people in civilian clothes fired their guns, too.–Edwin Fernandez and Julie Alipala