Cop chief awarded for leading operation against gang

Chief Insp. Dexter Basirgo , the chief of police of Boljoon town, knew the risks when he and his men set off to pursue a criminal group that had been operating in the towns of Alcoy, Dalaguete and his town.

Basirgo was injured in a shootout with the criminal group at a mountain barangay in Boljoon town that resulted in the deaths of Arnel Coronel and John Michael Mijares.

“It would be hard to accept that we are here and they will dominate the community. Those gangs should fear the police,” he said.

Basirgo was awarded the Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting by Chief Supt. Prudencio Bañas, Police Regional Office (PRO-7) chief and Senior Supt. Noel Gillamac, Cebu provincial police chief, at his hospital bed at the Chong Hua Hospital yesterday.

The two police officials also extended P10,000 in medical assistance to Basirgo.

At risk

Basirgo recounted that he and his men met the criminal group at a bushy area. He said one of them even called him “Sir” before shooting him.

“I also fired back and I felt blood coming out of me so I shouted to my men that I was shot and I left my M16 rifle to them,” Basirgo said.

He said he boarded the patrol car located 200 meters away and headed to a nearby hospital. “I am honored and proud to have policeman like Basirgo who have shown courage and commitment to their jobs,” Gillamac said.

Basirgo’s wife Elvera, who’s four months pregnant, said she almost told her husband to quit his job and be a motorcycle driver instead.

“I am just concerned for our safety but he told me to accept the fact that his life is always at risk,” she said.