Morong, Bataan – The municipality of Morong yesterday staged a hero’s welcome for one of the 44 members of the PNP Special Action Force (SAF) killed in action, in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
Mayor Jorge Estanislao said they prepared arrival honors as tribute to PO3 John Llyod Sumbilla, 33, of Barangay Poblacion.
Sumbilla reportedly a native of Samar, trained at the SAF camp here but eventually became a resident after he married Rochelle Vizmanos, a public school teacher at the Aeta elementary school in Kanawan. Rochelle is five months pregnant.
“A warm hero’s welcome to PO3 John Llyod Sumbilla for your bravery and courage. We, in Morong, will always show our respect to your bravery. We honor you as our town hero. Thank you for saving many more lives in the future,” said Estanislao.
The Philippine flag in front of the Morong municipal hall was raised at half-mast.
Rochelle and John Lloyd got married in a civil ceremony September last year and exchanged vows in a church wedding also in Morong on December 23, relatives said.
In Camp Olivas, Pampanga, Regional PNP Headquarters for Central Luzon, policemen were also preparing for a funeral honors, vigil guards and interment services in their hometowns for PO2 Junrel Narvas Kibete of Bulacan and PO2 Nicky de Castro Nacino, Jr. of Aurora.
Meanwhile, in San Nicolas, Pangasinan, the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPPO) led holding of a vigil for PO2 Ephraim Garcia Mejia from Barangay Calaocan whose remains were transported there yesterday morning.
According to Sr. Supt. Reynaldo Biay, officer-in-charge provincial director of PPPO, Garcia is one of two SAF heroes from Pangasinan.
“Sinalubong namin siya (his remains), kami rin mangunguna sa vigil, provide namin ang mga dapat na ceremony at mananatili ang puwersa ng PNP hanggaang sa libing,” Biay told .
The other fallen cop , PO2 Romeo Valles Senin II, originally from Lekep Butao, San Fabian, Pangasinan, will be brought to Iligan City where he is currently residing with his wife, said Biay.
Biay said the fallen cops will be given all the benefits and their children will be given full educational scholarship. PNP Pangasinan will also give personal contributions to the bereaved family.
Police stations in the entire province have been flying their national flags at half mast since Monday as a sign of respect to the heroism of the SAF troopers.
The provincial government assured that they will provide financial assistance to the bereaved families of Mejia and Senin.