Caraga cop chief, 26 others get awards for Agusan hostage crisis peaceful ending 

by Ben Serrano

     April 25, 2011

 

            Camp Rafael Rodriguez, LIBERTAD, BUTUAN CITY (PNA) - For peaceful handling of the April 1 hostage-taking crisis that resulted to the safe release of remaining hostages, no less than PNP Chief Raul Bacalzo personally awarded Medalya Ng Pambihirang Paglilingkod Award to Caraga PNP Regional Director Chief Supt. Reynaldo S. Rafal and Caraga PNP Chief of Staff Senior Supt. Nestor Monton Fajura.

 

            Fajura who is former Superintendent of the Philippine National Police Academy, the premiere and only police academy in the country based in Silang, Cavite served as spokesman of the Hostage Crisis Management Committee.

 

            Two other police officials; Deputy Regional Director for Operations Police Chief Supt. Isagani Francisco Ganabe, Jr. and Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Director Jerome Baxinella also received awards for their contribution in crisis’ peaceful resolution.

           

            Agusan del Sur Governor Adolph Edward Plaza who worked behind the scene,, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur Mayor Albin Magdamit who chaired the Crisis Management Committee, Agusan del Sur Provincial Social Welfare Officer Josefina Bajade and Roman Catholic Priest Fr. Carlito Clase also received citation awards in Camp Crame for giving all out efforts and support in the peaceful ending of the hostage taking crisis.

 

            Bacalzo at the Camp Crame Flag Raising Ceremonies last April 11 thanked said LGU and police officials for the tireless efforts and support that ended peacefully the hostage taking crisis the hugged headlines in both national and international news.

 

            During flag raising ceremony this morning held at the PNP regional office compound huge grounds and grandstand, Caraga PNP regional director Chief Supt. Reynaldo S. Rafal duplicating the Camp Crame event personally handed Medalya Ng Kadakilaan; PSSUPT CRIZALDO O NIEVES; PSUPT ROMALDO G BAYTING; PSUPT JACK L WANKY and PSINSP RAGEDY H PULA.

 

Others who received MEDALYA NG KAGALINGAN awards were; PSSUPT JANE A AUNZO;  P/SUPT RITCHIE A POSADAs; PSUPT ANTONY B MAGHARI; PSUPT JULIAN G BOQUIDA; PCINSP FLORENCE M ANDIT; PCINSP ROMEO A VILLALOBOS, Jr.;  P/CINSP WARREN E DABLO; PSINSP RODEL E MARITANA; PSINSP JOMAR P DELA CERNA;  PINSP JAMESON ESTEVES AGUILAR; PINSP JULIUS L MOJICA; PINSP JOEL G CERVANTES;  PINSP ABDUL NASSER D DIMAPORO; PINSP ROBERTO T FABREGAS.

 

                      Last April 1, 2011 about 5 o’clock in the afternoon, young but armed with high-powered firearms Manobo tribesmen belonging to the group of rebel returnees and former CAFGU member leader Ondo Perez snatched teachers, staff, students and civilians mostly motorcycle passenger drivers in mountainous portion of Purok 7, Barangay La Purisima, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.

 

            The group demanded released of their leader Ondo Perez and ten others who were arrested on December 2009 days after they released their 74 hostages.

 

Former PNP, LGU and military, government and religious officials handling that December 2009 hostage taking crisis signed agreement that once Ondo Perez and company will released remaining hostages and Perez with his surrendered, said officials who signed the agreement will worked hard and guarantee that Ondo Perez and group will be exonerated on criminal charges filed earlier and will be filed.,

 

 

Six days later on April 6, 2011, suspects Kemken Perez, 17, Rejoy Brital, 17, both minors and Joel Endengan abandoned the 16 remaining hostages in the forested area of Purok 8, Barangay La Purisima where said hostages were fetched by no less than Agusan del Sur Governor Adolph Edward Plaza.

 

Hostage Taking Crisis Management Committee chaired by Prosperidad Mayor Albin Magdamit during press conference on the day of the release claimed the suspects may have abandoned the remaining hostages after too much pressure on the ground from government forces plus too much hunger and tension the suspects may have suffered.

 

Two of the three suspects, Kem Ken Perez and Rejoy Brital were minor co-accused of Ondo Perez in the December 2009 hostage taking incident who were later turned over to Provincial Social Welfare Office headed by Bajade because they were minors.

 

It was not known how the two minor suspects got again involved in another hostage taking incident. The two together with 29 year old Joel Endangan, their cousin, until this press time remained at large. (PNA/Ben Serrano)





(Disclamer)
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