HUNDREDS of policemen, army reservists, jail officers, other law enforcers and guests joined the walk for peace and candle-lighting ceremonies at Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) compound late Wednesday afternoon, August 9.
The participants walked from Goldenfield Commercial Complex going to the police headquarters, where a program and candle-lighting was held to pay tribute to the six policemen killed in an ambush by the New People’s Army (NPA) in Guihulgan City, Negros Oriental last July 21.
The six slain policemen were Superintendent Arnel Arpon, then police chief of Guihulngan City, Senior Police Officers 2 Mecasio Tabilon and Teovic Agosto, Senior Police Officer 1 Jesael Ancheta, Police Officers 2 Alvin Bulandres and Alfredo Dunque.
Before the program started, Chief Superintendent Leonardo Cesneros, deputy regional director for administration of Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), led the wreath-laying followed by a 21-gun salute rendered by personnel of Bacolod City Public Safety Company. The participants also sang “Bayani sa Puso.”
Pastor Enrique Cansino, Omar Betita, and Inspector Joseph Ocampo, regional chaplain of PRO-NIR, each offered prayers.
It was followed by a candle-lighting ceremony led by Wanky.
Wanky, in his speech, said the police organization is still mourning for the deaths of their colleagues who sacrificed their lives for the safety of the people.
“They left us heroes with pride to ensure peace in the country,” he added.
Cesneros said he does not want the same incident to happen again.
He asked God to protect all the law enforcers from being victims of the ruthless and barbaric acts of the NPA.
Cesneros said everyone should be active and do their part to attain peace in the community.
Other officials present were Carmelo Orbista, officer-in-charge of Department of Interior and Local Government in Bacolod City; lawyer Roselyn Borja, acting director of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Negros Island Region; Inspector Jonairy Sitchon, and Senior Inspector Larry Fuentes of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and all 10 police stations chiefs of BCPO.