Isabela town police chief awarded posthumously for ‘heroism’
Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde talks to media after conferring on Tuesday, June 19, 2018, the “Medal for Heroism” to Senior Insp. Michael Tubaña, police chief of Mallig, Isabela, who was killed in an anti-illegal drug operation. PHOTO BY MIA MACATIAG
AN ISABELA town police chief was given a medal for his heroism in leading an anti-illegal drug operation, which cost him his life.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde gave the posthumous award to Senior Inspector Michael Angelo Tubaña, police chief of Mallig, Isabela.
“Posthumously, binigyan natin ng award na PNP Heroism Medal para naman marecognize yung kadakilaan na ginawa niya para sa bayan,” Albayalde said.
(Posthumously, we gave the PNP Heroism Medal to recognize his sacrifice for the country.)
Albayalde also said that the Office of the President would be giving support to Tubaña’s family.
“Besides doon sa financial support na binigay natin, of course coming from the PNP meron rin yang automatic na suporta galing sa institution o insurance dito sa PNP plus of course talagang makukuha ng pamilya yung assistance plus yung assistance niya coming from the Office of the President.”
(Aside from the financial support that we are giving, there is also automatic support coming from the institution or insurance here at the PNP. Of course, the family will also be given assistance plus the assistance that will be coming from the Office of the President.)
Recalling the incident, Albayalde said that Tubaña was not wearing a bulletproof vest.
“Wala siyang issue, wala siyang suot na bullet vest. I think kung meron nga, sabi nila, tinamaan siya sa bandang tiyan, hopefully sana di siya namatayan kung meorn siyang bullet vest,” said Albayalde.
(He has no issue. He just wasn’t wearing a bulletproof vest. I think, if he had one, they said he was shot somewhere in the stomach, he would not have died if he was wearing a bulletproof vest.)
Following Tubaña’s death, the PNP expedited the delivery of 12,000 bulletproof vests for policemen, prioritizing operatives in anti-drug operations.
Albayalde said the drug situation in Isabela was now less of a problem.
“Nakausap ko ang mayor; hindi naman ganoon grabe ang problema nila sa ilegal na droga. Sabi nila madalas daw nanggagaling yan sa kalinga kasi boundary nila.
(I’ve spoken with the mayor. The problem on illegal drugs isn’t as bad. They said the drugs would often come from Kalinga.)
Tubaña, 31, was leading an anti-drug operation when alleged drug suspects shot him at 10 p.m. in Barangay Centro 1 on June 18.
Police said Tubaña was immediately brought to a private hospital in Roxas town but succumbed to a fatal wound he sustained in his body.
The suspects were seen escaping on a motorcycle, according to police operatives who immediately conducted a manhunt. MIA MACATIAG, ALEC NALDO
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