GRATEFUL FOR A SECOND LIFE, INJURED COP RECALLS ENCOUNTER WITH LARGO
PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa awarded PO3 David Naraja with the Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting (Philippine National Police Wounded Personnel Medal) and lauded him for his bravery during the manhunt that led to the death of murder suspect Jessie Largo last Monday afternoon
PO3 David Naraja Jr., even when he was already wounded, wanted to finish the operation against Jessie Largo, the alleged killer of a government employee’s son.
“Diyos ra gyod ang gihuna-huna nako nga matabangan ko nga makabawos ko (I was only thinking of God, hoping He would help me exact revenge),” he told reporters when asked what he felt when Largo shot him.
The Regional Special Operations Group operative was hit in the left side of his face during the operation against Largo in Barangay Dumlog, Talisay City last Monday afternoon. The slug of a .45 pistol’s bullet was an inch away from tearing through his brain.
Naraja said he is grateful for his second lease on life.
“Kaluoy sa Ginoo nga sa dayong pagpabuto niya, kaunom ba to o kapito, wa ko maigo kay ligid-ligid na man ko (Thank God, when he fired his gon six to seven times, he didn’t hit me because I was already on the ground),” he said.
Largo was hiding in the ceiling when the operatives barged inside his hideout. Witnesses have identified him as the killer of John Ronli Calizar, the son of Philippine Information Agency 7 employee Ferliza Contratista, in Talisay City last Aug. 26.
Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa and other officials visited the wounded officer in his room at the Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital in Cebu City yesterday morning.
He awarded Naraja with the Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting (Wounded Personnel Medal) and lauded him for his bravery.
“We are very proud of you. Kon maayo ka, balik gihapon og trabaho, ha? (When you’re better, report back to work, okay?)” dela Rosa told Naraja.
Dr. Potenciano “Yong” Larrazabal III, president and chairman of the board of Cebu Doctors’ Group of Hospitals, said he will not charge Najara for the medicines, surgery and other expenses, describing the latter as a “hero cop.”
“I’m happy that we have a policeman like him who is willing to give his life to make Cebu, not only Cebu but the rest of the Philippines, safer. We owe it to him, that’s why Cebu Doctors’ will give him a 100 percent discount on all expenses,” he said.
Naraja will undergo surgery to reconstruct his left cheekbone, where a titanium plate will be placed.
Dela Rosa complained that the other private hospital, where Najara was first brought, did not allow the latter to be admitted without a P10,000 down payment.
Police Regional Office 7 Director Jose Mario Espino said his office sent a complaint letter to the hospital yesterday.
The reward for the two men who informed the police about Largo’s hideout was also turned over yesterday. The amount was not disclosed.
Naraja also received financial aid from Camp Crame, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas.
Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas also gave Naraja the financial assistance from President Rodrigo Duterte.