Cop adopts girl who survived massacre

PJAMESTREMEDAL
Associate editor

Police Officer 3 Edgardo Figuracion II, a policeman assigned as a nurse at the Provincial Hospital became a hero in his own right after he assumed parental obligation to an infant who lost her parents.

Figuracion, a member of the PNP recruit class 99-07 and a nursing graduate, adopted one-month old Ezzia straight from the hospital.

Unknown killers massacred Ezzia’s parents three years ago while they were deep in their sleep inside their home in Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur.

Ezzia’s was saved when her mother, who was breastfeeding at the moment when gunfires bursted, cover her with her body.

Ezzia’s father survived but later died while being treated at the hospital, leaving her in the care of the hospital personnel.

The girl had stab wounds and a cut wrist that needs tendon rehabilitation when taken to the hospital. Doctors said the girl has a 50-50 probability of surviving.

Figuracion’s compassion for the baby prompted him to adopt Ezzia.

During last week’s visit of Cynthia Verzosa, current national adviser of the PNP Ladies Club, who is also the wife of PNP Chief, Dir. Gen. Jesus Verzosa, Figuracion asked the lady Verzosa for help.

He pleaded for monetary aid for the operation and rehabilitation of Ezzia’s wrist.

The general’s wife promised to relay the request to her husband and even added that Figuracion will likely get a commendation and a promotion for his good deed.

PNP Regional Director Angel Hipolito Sunglao said he was impressed with Figuracion’s exploits, adding this comes with a reward.

“Here is a very extraordinary policeman who made his way in taking up shelter for a massacre victim. It is our obligation and responsibility to look and commend him as a hero on his own way,” Sunglao declared.

Lawmen arrest ‘untouchable’ Bana boy anew

PJAMESTREMEDAL
Associate editor

AUTHORITIES swooped down again on the suspected drug den in Bana Compound along Rizal Avenue, Jan. 26, last week and caught a familiar figure in the illegal shabu business and his girlfriend.

Joint elements of the NBI, PDEA, the Pagadian City PNP Office and the 905th Provincial Mobile Group caught red-handed Ivanhoe “Bobby” Bana.

Bobby, according to the police, is regularly mentioned in their list of suspected drug dealers in Pagadian and has been known publicly in addicts’ circle of having converted his residence as a drug den.

He was caught pushing drugs years ago during a buy bust, was charged with violating RA 9165, the Dangerous Drug Act and imprisoned. His case was later dismissed.

Police records accounted about 25 sachets of plastic sachets containing white residues believed to be shabu were confiscated from Bana along with several paraphernalia and P1200.

PNP Provincial Director Ramon Ochotorena has requested to withhold the name of Bobby’s girlfriend, a minor, who was arrested with him.

Ochotorena added that the present raid at the Bana Compound is in support of Gov. Aurora Cerilles’ was against illegal drugs.

“This time he cannot deny that he (Bobby) is [not] involved,” Ochotorena said of Bana.