Killed while conducting raid on a ‘tupada’
TACLOBAN CITY- Both the provincial government and police in Northern Samar are in mourning on the death of a police chief who was killed by a ‘tari’ or a cockfight blade.
Governor Edwin Ongchuan expressed his gratitude to Police Lt. Christian Bolok who said died while he was performing his work during this time of quarantine due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
“We grieve with our provincial Philippine National Police (PNP) in the loss of such a committed and selfless officer whose enforcement of our community quarantine regulations has cost him his life,” Ongchuan said in a press statement released by the provincial information office.
He said that the provincial government has extended P50,000 financial assistance to the family of Bolok.
For his part, B/Gen. Ronaldo De Jesus, police regional director, also honored the fallen police officer as he vowed that no similar incident would happen again.
“I will make sure that the gallantry of PLt. Bolok shall not be put in vain. Apprehended violators shall be made responsible under the law. I have ordered my men to further intensify its operations against illegal gambling and other law-related offenses no matter how small scale they are,” he said in a statement.
“I will see to it that no similar unfortunate incident shall ever happen again. Justice will be served,” De Jesus added.
Northern Samar police director Col. Arnel Apud said that the entire police organization in the province grieves on the ‘untimely’ death of Bolok.
“I have a heavy heart as we have lost a brother who sacrificed his own life in the name of service,’ Apud, in a statement, said.
“I already instructed the personnel and record section to immediately facilitate the needed documents to release the benefits for the bereaved family of Lt. Bolok,” Apud added.
For his part, Mayor Clarence Dato said that the local government has also provided financial assistance to the family of Bolok.
“We mourn the loss of our chief of police, Christian Bolok, who died in the performance of his duties. A dedicated law enforcer, he is a big loss not only to the PNP but to our community,” Dato said.
Bolok just served as the town police chief for just two weeks. He was succeeded by Lt. Eleazar Arancillo as town police chief.
Meantime, Gov. Ongchuan reiterated his warning against those who are engaging in cockfight of ‘tupada’ and other forms of illegal gambling activities during this time of pandemic.
Ongchuan had earlier banned tupada in the entire province after some men who were arrested later turned positive of COVID-19.
Bolok,38, led an operation in Barangay Manduyang, nine kms away from the town proper of San Jose, of an illegal cockfight on Oct. 26.
But when he tried to collect one of the cockfights, he was accidentally hit on his left thigh by a metal spur or tari, which is usually laced with poison.
He died due to loss of blood while being transported to the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital in Catarman town.
His body was transported to his native town of Laoang on Wednesday (Oct.28) where he will be buried. ///
