President Duterte Visits Wake of Slain Isabela Town Police Chief

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, June 21, visited the wake of Mallig, Isabela Police Chief Senior Inspector Michael Angelo Tubaña who was killed during a drug operation.

President Duterte arrived at the Isabela Police Office Philippine National Police Conference Hall here at 5:17 p.m. and was received by Isabela Governor Faustino Dy III, Ilagan City Mayor Evelyn Diaz, Mallig Vice Mayor Diosdado Felipe and the acting Police Director of Isabela, Police Senior Superintendent Mariano Rodriguez.

The Chief Executive personally extended his condolences to Tubaña’s wife, Joana Marie Tubaña.

Tubaña, 31, died on June 17 after he was shot in the abdomen by one of the two suspects, 19-year-old Warren Bulawit and a minor, during a drug operation in Barangay Centro 1 in Mallig, Isabela.

The two suspects were arrested the following day in Tabuk City, Kalinga.

President Duterte posthumously conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu, Rank of Kalasag on the slain police officer.

The Rank of Kalasag is awarded to individuals who lost their lives as a direct result of their participation in an activity pursuant to a campaign or advocacy of the President.

Before leaving the wake, the President gave his last salute to Tubaña.

Visit to wounded soldiers

Following the wake visit, President Duterte proceeded to Camp Melchor F. Dela Cruz Station Hospital in Ilagan to check on the condition of 10 wounded-in-action soldiers.

During the hospital visit, the President awarded each soldier the Order of Lapu-Lapu, Rank of Kampilan.

The Order of Lapu-Lapu, Rank of Kampilan is conferred by the President to recognize exemplary service by workers of the government and private individuals who are wounded, injured, or suffered great loss of property for their participation in the advocacy of the President.

The wounded soldiers were Sgt. Michael A. Ammadang, Sgt. Frezer H. Ma-anao, Cpl. Randy M. Puyao, Cpl. Maurin Paul B. Garan, Cpl. Melvin A. Gines, Cpl. Jeronimo S. Tongdo, PFC. Eliezer P. Obiasca, Pvt. Jonejone D. Punghan, PFC Michael C. Valdez and PFC Renny Boy S. Himiwat.

Ammadang was wounded in an encounter in Cagayan while Frezer, Ma-anao, Puyao Garan, Gines, Tongdo, Obiasca and Punghan were wounded in a series of encounters in Isabela.

Valdez and Himiwat sustained injuries during an encounter in Patikul, Sulu.

In his visit, the Commander-in-Chief told the soldiers that he visited them to show how much he cared for every military and police personnel.

He reiterated that he would not allow them to go to jail as long as they are doing their duty. (PCOO)