The Philippine National Police yesterday recognized the heroism of a cop who died after grappling with a grenade-wielding man at Initao College in Initao, Misamis Oriental the other day.
Police Senior Master Sgt. Jason Magno of the Initao police station perished when he willingly covered a grenade with his body to shield the students and onlookers from being hit by shrapnels. The grenade was detonated by a 65-year-old man, Ebrahim Ampaso Basher, who was eventually shot dead by Magno’s wounded buddy, Police Senior Master Sgt. Alice Balido.
“PSMS Magno made a supreme sacrifice by covering the grenade with his own body to save innocent civilian lives. He truly lives up to his sworn duty, to serve and protect even if it costs his life,” said Police Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson.
Banac said that Basher initially had a heated argument with a local employee of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources due to “personal problem.”
“May dala itong patalim at hinahabol ang DENR employee. Hindi niya matagpuan ang hinahanap kaya pilit niyang binuksan ang opisina ng DENR, pinagsasaksak ang pintuan,” Banac said.
Concerned students and individuals tried to pacify the suspect but he pulled out a grenade and threatened to detonate it if the employee won’t see him.
This prompted the students to call the police. Magno and Balido responded to the scene which led to Magno wrestling with Basher for the possession of the grenade.
Unknown to Magno, Basher had pulled the safety pin of the grenade as he lobbed the grenade to the ground.
It must have been due to Magno’s instincts that he covered the grenade with his body to prevent it from harming other students as it exploded, Banac said.
Wounded by shrapnels after the grenade blast, Balido singlehandedly confronted Basher and shot him dead. At least 15 others, mostly students, were wounded in the blast, police said.
Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, PNP officer-in-charge, condoled with the bereaved family of Magno and assured that benefits will be given to the family of the policeman.
The Commission on Human Rights also lauded the heroism of Magno.
CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said the commission 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.
With another senseless death, De Guia called on warring groups to put down their arms and spare the innocent from their violent acts, stressing lives should not be wasted in any form of unnecessary brutality. (Martin Sadongdong with a report from Chito Chavez)
