Cop wounded in operation awarded medal for bravery

POLICEMAN wounded in a gunfight against a homicide fugitive was given recognition yesterday at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) where’s he is recuperating.

Brig. Gen. Marcelo Morales, regional director of the Police Regional Office XI, and Col. Alexander Tagum, the Davao City Police Office, pinned the PNP Wounded Medal on Corporal Joel Villegas.

Villegas was part of the personnel of the Bunawan Police Station who con

ducted a roadblock in its operation to arrest Basilio Abrigoso, 46, in a pending homicide case at 8:30 a.m. on Sept 14. The policeman was hit on the chest, head, and hand when the suspect fired at the officers.

According to the police report, the Bunawan police received information that the fugitive was sighted attending a fiesta in Barangay Mahayag, Bunawan District.

The Bunawan police, led by Maj. Noel Villahermosa, set up a roadblock in Liloan, Mahayag where the fugitive is expected to pass by.

At 9:15 a.m., the suspect and his companion saw the checkpoint and immediately manuevered their motorcycle to escape. One of them fired his gun and hit Villegas several times.

The operatives fired back and the two left behind their motorcycle and fled on foot. The cops gave chase and tracked Abrigoso inside an abandoned house owned by Marina Cabahug, 54, of Purok 8, Lower Mahayag.

They cornered Abrigoso who continued to fight back until he was killed by the pursuing officers.

BING GONZALES POLICE Brig. Gen. Marcelo Morales gives a salute to wounded Police Corporal Joel Villegas during his visit at the Southern Philippine Medical Center where the latter is recuperating. Villegas was awarded with the PNP Wounded Medal as he was injured in a gunfight against two suspects, one a homicide accused, during an operation in Barangay Mahayag, Bunawan District last Saturday.