NOPPO Intel Operative cited for brave act
For singlehandedly neutralizing five armed suspects involved in a gang war last Saturday afternoon in Bacolod City, a police officer assigned with the provincial headquarters gained accolades from his superior and peers in the Philippine National Police.
Police Officer 3 Junjie Liba, 36, of the Intelligence Branch of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office just came out from his afternoon class of his Master in Public Management course from the University of St La Salle-Bacolod when a group of seven youths fired at an unidentified member of a rival gang in Barangay 6 but missed their target.
Immediately, PO3 Liba, who entered the PNP in 1995, responded to the shooting incident from across the street and pounced on the suspects who tried to flee but were prevented by the alert officer despite minor cuts in his hands due to the ensuing scuffle when Liba held the tricycle they were riding.
Two of the seven suspects managed to elude arrest while the five who were apprehended identified as Eduardo Navarro, 21, resident of Barangay 3, Mark papio, 19, of Barangay Banago, Raymund and Richard Lunares, both 19, and residents of Barangay Bata and Ronald Magarso, legal age and resident of Barangay Banago all in Bacolod City were brought to PP2 of the Bacolod City Police Office.
Recovered by Liba, who was assisted by bystanders, from the suspects were one homemade shotgun (sumpak), one homemade caliber .38 shotgun, four live rounds of ammunition for shotgun, a knife, one improvised slingshot with two deadly arrows and the Kawasaki tricycle used by the gang as their getaway vehicle.
Negros Occidental PNP provincial director Police Senior Superintendent Manuel Felix commended Liba who, despite being outnumbered, managed to disarm the suspects that prevented bloodshed and possible loss of lives if not for his heroic act.
His laudable efforts will be surely emulated by his colleagues in the police service, added Police Chioef Inspector Rico Santotome Jr, NOPPO spokesman, referring to Liba who's boss is Police Superintendent Rosauro Francisco Jr.
This is also in line with the TEAM NEGROS action plan of NOPPO in partnership with the various stakeholders of the PNP specifically in service delivery at NOPPO's level best as well as part of the Integrated Transformation Program of the PNP.