PNP, CHR honor cop in MisOr grenade blast

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has paid its deepest and sincerest respect to the heroism of Police Senior Major Sergeant Jason Magno who gave up his life to save civilians during a grenade blast at Initao College in Misamis Oriental Thursday.

At least 15 others – mostly students were wounded in the explosion.

CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said the commission has honored Magno’s courage and bravery for selflessly responding to the call of duty even in the face of certain death.

“It is truly heartbreaking that we lost another dedicated police officer and a hero who stayed faithful to his mandate of serving and protecting the people,’’ De Guia said.

“We express our deepest condolences to the family, colleagues, and friends of Police Master Sergeant Magno and hopes for the speedy recovery of the policewoman and students who were hurt in the grenade blast,’’ the CHR said.

Magno perished when he jumped on a grenade whose safety pin was already removed by the suspect, Ebrahim Ampaso Basher, 65 to shield students and onlookers from being hit by shrapnel.

Basher was shot dead by Magno’s wounded buddy, Police Senior Master Sergeant Alice Balido.

Philippine National Police Spokesman Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac said Basher initially had a heated argument with an employee of the Department

of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) over a “personal problem.”

The suspect had a knife while running after the DENR employee. However, he could not find the employee he went to the DENR office and stabbed the door repeatedly,” Banac said.

Concerned students and individuals tried to pacify the suspect but he pulled out a grenade and threatened to explode it if the employee won’t see him.

This prompted the students to call the police.

Magno and Balido responded to the scene and Magno wrestled with Basher for possession of the grenade.

Unknown to Magno, Basher already pulled the safety pin of the grenade when he lobbed the grenade to the ground. Instinct prompted Magno to cover the grenade with his body to prevent it from harming other students as it exploded, Banac said.

Lieutenant General Archie Gamboa, PNP officer in charge, expressed condolences to the berieved family of Magno and assured them of financial assistance since he was killed in the line of duty.

The benefits are on top of the estimated R15,000 monthly lifetime pension from the PNP and roughly the same amount of pension for five years from the Napolcom.

Balido will likewise get financial assistance having been wounded while in the line of duty. (With a report from Martin A. Sadongdong)