THE Senate on Monday adopted a resolution honoring uniformed personnel for neutralizing two of Zamboanga peninsula’s alleged most wanted criminals in a shootout last December 31.
Senate Resolution No. 1270 recognized the heroism of Police Senior Master Sergeant Ryan Mariano, a member of the Zamboanga City Police Office drug enforcement team and Correction Officer 1 Melvin Cabanal Magnaye. Both men survived the gunfight.
Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, the sponsor of the resolution, also commended Col. Kimberly Molitas, Zamboanga City’s police chief, for her foresight in deploying police personnel during the New Year’s Eve Mass, helping secure churchgoers and the community.
Dela Rosa’s resolution commended Mariano and Magnaye for the “heroism and courage” they exhibited in putting down two criminals wanted by the police for drug trafficking and involvement in several shooting incidents in the region.
“We mourn our law enforcers, our heroes that we have lost. Their heroism and love for country and peace will never be forgotten. We honor them. For those who were fortunate to have survived the perils of fighting crimes, we should do the same — we honor them,” Dela Rosa said in his sponsorship speech.
“Without the bravery of PSMS Mariano and boldness of Correction Officer Magnaye, these two criminals would have continued to pose a significant threat to public safety and security,” he added.
Mariano was on a covert peace and order operation ahead of the New Year celebrations when fired upon by two men riding on a motorcycle in front of Mount Carmel Parish Church in Zamboanga City at around 6 p.m., according to a Senate statement.
Despite a gunshot wound to the leg and body, Mariano managed to draw his gun and fire back, instantly killing a suspect later identified as Haber Tating, it added.
Magnaye, who was passing by the area, stopped his vehicle to provide cover for Mariano while engaging the other suspect in a gun battle.
The other suspect was also killed. He was identified only as a certain Jallao.
Dela Rosa, a former Philippine National Police chief, said all uniformed personnel should emulate the gallantry of Mariano and Magnaye.
“It showed their extraordinary ability to swiftly perform their sworn duty of ensuring public safety and their ability to go well beyond it,” he said.
“It is one thing to perform one’s duty to execute the tasks demanded of us by the very jobs we have sworn to fulfill,” he said. “However, it is another thing altogether to rise above the bare minimum and to do even more than what is required in one’s occupation.”