TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Due to the heavy losses suffered by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the elimination of the region’s top most wanted person, Willy Sagasag, PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa has ordered a thorough probe of the incident.
Four members of the operating team were killed and three others were wounded when they were fired upon while attempting to serve alias warrants of arrest on Sagasag who was then cornered in a house in sitio Malusong, barangay Canao, Lubuagan around 7:30 of February 21.
Sagasag who had a long criminal career was killed in the ensuing firefight which the police said lasted around five minutes.
In ordering the deeper investigation, Dela Rosa who came to honor the casualties and condole with the families of the bereaved on February 24 noted that the damage on the two sides is lopsided.
Dela Rosa also emphasized to the local police to be always mindful of their safety, be alert and anticipate scenarios while conducting operations adding that all precautions should be taken to ensure that they go home alive.
He admitted though that in the life of lawmen, getting killed in line of duty is a day to day possibility.
Dela Rosa went to the residences of PO3 Cruzaldo Lawagan, PO1 Charles Compas, PO1 Vincent Paul Tay-od and PO2 Jovenal Aguinaldo in barangays Bulanao, Casigayan, New Tanglag and Laya East, all this city, respectively to award them the Medalya ng Kadakilaan and cash assistance to their bereaved families.
Dela Rosa also visited the wounded, namely, Senior Inspector Eduard Liclic, PO2 Ferdinand Asuncion and PO 1 Ferdie Liwag at the Kalinga Provincial Hospital. The three are now in stable condition.
Dela Rosa pinned the Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting to the three cops and gave them undisclosed cash for their medical expenses.
Sagasag, 46, was wanted by the court for murder, frustrated murder, frustrated homicide, and robbery charges. He had a P600,000 prize on his head.
Sagasag was charged with murder of barangay captain Eduardo Wandaga and Magdalena Dacay in Tabuk City in 1995. He was arrested in 1998 but was able to escape from prison.
He was re-arrested in 2001 but was sprung by his gang while being transported from Kalinga to Tuguegarao City, Cagayan on a passenger jeep in 2002. Two jail guards and a student were killed in the incident.**Estanislao Albano, Jr.
