In his more than nine years in the Philippine National Police, Din admitted that Thursday night’s shootout was his first encounter.
“Pasalamat gyud ko sa Ginoo ani. Magpamisa gyud ko (I owe my life to the Lord and I will sponsor a mass to show my gratitude),” he told reporters yesterday.
Din said he still could not believe how he got out of the situation with only graze wounds.
“Timing lang gyud siguro nga wa ko maigo ug adto nitugpa sa foam (I must have been very lucky none of the bullets hit me, landing instead on the sofa),” he said.
He also realized how important firearms proficiency training was.
The sound of gunfire no longer surprises him because he is used to it as a result of constant firing practice.
Din was waiting for his turn to get a haircut at the salon when two men barged in and announced a holdup.
By fighting back, he killed one of the robbers, although the other one got away with the driver of the getaway vehicle.
Bullets grazed Din’s left forearm, back and right foot. He believes one of the bullets tore through his pants, but there were no other wounds in his body.
Din said the incident shook him and his family, adding that he did not get much sleep afterwards.
“Nakuyawan sad sila (they were also very worried for me),” he said.
Din was born in Zamboanga but grew up in Cebu. He is married with two sons, aged 11 and six.
Din joined the police force in 1997. After completing his scout training with the Regional Mobile Group, he was immediately assigned to the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).
A career in the force was not what Din envisioned himself to be doing when he was younger. He admitted the job merely offered itself to him.
Asked what he thought of the awards he will get as a result of last Thurs-day’s incident, he said that was far from his mind.
“Wa man ta mag-expect ana. Mao man atong gisudlan nga trabaho (I was merely doing my job),” he said.
He also thanked acting CCPO Director Patrocinio Comendador and MPG Chief Arnel Banzon for their support.
Din said he now wants to focus on healing his wounds before he can think about the future. (MEA)
