Cop’s death underscores need for vigilance: DCPO

THE assassination of a member of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) last Monday in Tugbok District underscores the need for individual policemen to be alert and vigilant with regards their personal security amid high threats by communist rebels and other lawless groups, DCPO Chief Alexander Tagum said.

“This incident will also serve as a strong warning to all personnel of DCPO that they cannot afford to relax their personal security because then it will cause them their lives,” Tagum said yesterday.

PO3 Wilfredo Bansag Garol Jr, 34, married and a resident of Rubber Village in Calinan, Davao City and assigned at Baguio Police Station (PS11) was shot to death by two unidentified hitchhikers at around 7:45 a.m., November 13, at Purok 5, Sitio Luman, Barangay New Valencia, Tugbok District, Davao City. He died on the spot.

Garol had just brought his wife to school, where she is a teacher, and then allowed two men to hitch a ride on his motorcycle on his way back home.

The killers took away Garols motorcycle and service firearms.

DCPO, meanwhile, vowed to expedite the resolution of the case and the identification of the suspects responsible for the murder of their personnel.

“The death of PO3 Wilfredo Garol will be thoroughly investigated to identify those behind this treacherous killing,” he said.

Tagum added that they were not shaken by the incident and will continue with their stringent security monitoring against criminality and terrorism.

“It will not however deter our commitment in our relentless and intensified fight against all forms of domestic threats posed by communist terrorists or criminals,” he added. JCR