Local heroes welcome for Cebuano troopers

THE remains of the two Cebuano members of the PNP Special Action Force who were among the 44 who perished in last month’s encounter in Maguindanao were transferred yesterday to their respective hometowns to a hero’s welcome.

Schoolchildren waving white flags lined the streets of Consolacion town as the cortège of PO1 Romeo Cempron arrived in the town at noon. His remains were taken to the municipal hall and met by local officials led by Mayor Teresa Alegado.

The remains of PO1 Windel Candano, were also transferred from Dumanjug town in southern Cebu to St. Peter’s Funeral Homes along Imus Road in Cebu City.

Candano’s remains were initially taken to his wife’s house in Mambaling for public viewing, but the family decided to  move his remains to St. Peter’s funeral parlor to accommodate people who wanted to pay their last respects to the fallen policeman.

Senior Supt. Conrad Capa, deputy regional police director and acting chief of police of Cebu City, was on hand when  the policeman’s remains was transferred to the St. Matthew Chapel.

Capa, who is also a member of the PNP-SAF, executed a snappy salute as he faced the Candano’s bier and later met the policeman’s wife, Michelle.

Candano will be buried in Cebu South Cemetery in Talisay City while Cempron will be interred in a cemetery in Consolacion.

Sarah de Victoria, 43, descended from the second floor of the funeral parlor as honor guards serving as pallbearers carried Candano’s flag-draped casket to the chapel.

“I will pray for him.  I will pray for them. Rest in peace, our heroes. They will always be remembered ,” she told Cebu Daily News.