Makati cop offers life to save 2 ‘drowning’ kids
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday honored a 32-year-old Makati City policeman who lost his life after trying to rescue two children who were on the verge of drowning in a river in Pamplona, Cagayan last May 26.
The PNP headed by General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. presented a posthumous PNP Medalya ng Kadakilaan to the late Corporal Mark Edhyson Arinabo for his ‘noteworthy acts of heroism and bravery at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.’
“Corporal Arinabo’s selfless actions demonstrate the epitome of service and sacrifice and we will forever honor his memory,” said the top cop.
The PNP presented a plaque of appreciation of the hero cop’s parents Edward and Josephine during the flag-raising rites at Camp Crame.
“Their nurturing support, patience, love and understanding made possible their son’s lasting contribution to the PNP and to the Filipino people,” said Gen. Acorda as he offered the couple the entire PNP’s deepest sympathies and prayers for the loss of their son.
A native of Capalalian in Pamplona municipality, Cpl. Arinabo and his family were having a picnic when he noticed two children struggling in the middle of the Pamplona River
Without any hesitation, the cop from the Makati City Police-Community Precinct 3 immediately jumped into the river to save the two children. However, he was no match to the river’s strong current and was swept away.
The two children, both 10-years old were safely rescued by residents of Bgy. Mapurao in Allacapan municipality. Residents also retrieved the cop who happened to be a father of two children aged seven and two, from the river and rushed him to a rural health unit where an attending physician declared him dead upon arrival.
The late police officer is the eldest of the six children of the Arinabos. He joined the National Capital Region Police Office in 2014 after getting his criminology degree from a Cagayan university.
