The Bacolod City government will recognize the two neighbors of slain Dr. Andres Gumban for their heroism in preventing the escape of the doctor’s assassin, City Police Director Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz, said yesterday.

De la Paz said Ivan Amar and Jonathan Maniego will receive the recognition during the 74th charter day anniversary of Bacolod on June 18.

Amar and Maniego helped in the arrest of Fof Pascual Jr., 18, of Barangay Tadlong, Sagay City, and the 16-year-old from Cadiz City, whose name is being withheld as he is a minor ,after they murdered Gumban on May 10 at his house at Regent Pearl Homes Subdivision, Brgy. Alijis.

Both Amar and Maniego also received commendations from the Bacolod City Police for their bravery on May 14, at the City Police headquarters, police records show.

Maniego, a civilian agent of the Police Regional Office-6 Intelligence Unit, told the DAILY STAR then that he heard a commotion in the house of thedoctor at about 10:45 p.m. on May 10. Maniego, who had a gun, said he went to the house of Gumban, that is adjacent to his, to check and discovered the gruesome crime.

De la Paz said Amar and Maniego should be rewarded because they displayed no ordinary bravery in risking their lives to arrest the suspects in the killing of Gumban.

Pascual and the 16-year-old have already been charged for murder before the Regional Trial Court. Pascual’s arraignment is set on June 13 before Judge Ray Alan Drilon.

Meanwhile, De la Paz said he is happy with his nomination for the distination best Senior Police Commissioned officer and that of the Bacolod City Police as best police office in the Philippines.

He said this recognition will boost their morale and will make them double their efforts.

De la Paz said that even if he and the BCPO will not win, the fact that they have been nominated is already an honor.

Police Regional-6 Deputy Director for Administration Senior Supt. Manuel Felix said BCPO was nominated because of its relentless drive to account for all wanted personalities and its exemplary performance in the anti-illegal gambling and anti-illegal drugs drives.*APN

back to top