KILLED IN ACTION
Honors up on fallen cop

By Florence F. Hibionada
Correspondent

Honors are in the offing for a police officer who died Sunday in the line of duty.

In a report The News Today gathered, efforts are underway to remember the dedication and heroism of SPO1 Ex Yap. Said police officer fell a day after he joined other government agents in a police operation over the weekend in Barangay Lawis, Balasan, Iloilo.

Known amongst the police community and within his peers as a hardworking cop, SPO1 Yap was hit seconds upon approaching the property of Hernando Baria. The fallen officer was to be the lead member of the"entering team" of the raiding group when fired at and immediately hit by his stomach. He was able to seek help though and told a buddy, PO3 Rex De los Reyes that he was shot.

When rushed to the Malbog District Hospital for emergency treatment, SPO1 Yap managed to speak with his wife Elvie where radio reports said, he left word to keep watch over his two children.

He was transferred to the city where a team of doctors worked on his operation for about six hours. Reports of his demise was made late Sunday afternoon where colleagues rallied in support of his bereaved family. "A dedicated young officer and a hero," Chief Supt. Doroteo Reyes II, Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 director described to reporters the fallen officer.

SPO1 Yap was among the pioneers in the batCh '91 of the Philippine National Police Public Safety Basic Course in Cebu. His last assignment was with the Iloilo Provincial Police Office though he had added assignments under the Regional Special Action Task Force.

The raid in Baria's residence was relative to the reported loose firearms in the house of said subject who was also killed in the ensuing exchange with SPO1 Yap's raiding team.