Prayers for a fallen Davao City cop
MY family and I join the entire Davao City police force in offering prayers for the soul of Police Staff Sergeant Noel Marundan, the latest member of the Philippine National Police who bravely sacrificed his life in the line of duty last week.
May the Good Lord give Noel’s family and fellows comfort, strength and peace during their time of grief. I also pray that the rest of our police force be daily united safely with their families after their duty has ended. May He grant all of them His almighty protection.
On Monday, Davao City Police Office director Colonel Hansel Marantan told me they they are mourning the heroic death of one of their men who was killed while on a mission to arrest an “armed and dangerous” criminal in Southern Mindanao last week.
The member of PNP Academy “Kabalikta” Class of 1998 described the late Marundan as a fine example of a Philippine National Police member who has sacrificed his life in the line of duty when he spoke during their flag-raising rites at the Davao City police headquarters.
Col. Marantan said on November 11 is “very special to me because it is my mother’s birthday.” Mrs. Milagros Araneta Matamis Marantan, a devoted and well-loved public school teacher in Pamplona, Cagayan died a few years ago.
The official also said 44 days before Christmas or the day angels sung to announce the birth of Jesus Christ, they are also mourning the death of a cop named Noel during an encounter in Sitio Alon in Barangay Malabog in Paquibato District last November 6.
“Five of our courageous men who were awarded put their lives in line and one soul rendered the ultimate sacrifice. Thus, we have a fallen hero named Staff Sgt. Noel Marundan that reminds me of the word Noel,” he said while leading his men in offering their words of sympathy to the late cop’s family.
Col. Marantan said shortly after news about Marundan’s killing spread, he received many calls and text messages from people who extended their support and sympathies to the Marundan family and the Davao City police force.
“Marami ring haka-haka, dapat ganito, dapat nag-coordinate, dapat pinasok main body ng CMMC, dapat strategic, dapat tactical, dapat rush-up, dapat perfect timing at marami pang iba,” he said.
“But we don’t have to be answerable sa mga dapat na ‘yan. As your Director, i have entrusted you that decision to operate, and anything that comes out from that operation is the best and perfect and most prudent decision in that particular place and time. Period,” he told his men.
Marantan said “oftentimes, after an armed encounter, everybody becomes an expert, everybody has a 20-20 vision but don’t be affected. We have to stay focused. Ubusin natin sa kalsada ang mga kriminal na yan at ikulong natin sila lahat.” Those were the words from a veteran of countless police encounters with heavily-armed criminals since graduating from the Academy.
SSgt. Marundan was among the Davao City policemen who joined a mission to arrest most wanted fugitive Nestor Dabawnon Ansayod alias ‘”Osie” after he was monitored to be in Sitio Alon in Bgy. Malabog in Paquibato District.
However, the suspect opened fire at the approaching officers and hit Marundan before he was shot dead by the rest of the team. The wounded cop died while being taken to the Paquibato District Hospital for treatment. I saw a heart-wrenching video of doctors trying their best to revive Marundan as his worried colleagues watched. You can see the gloom in the eyes of the policemen present when a doctor declared Marundan dead.
On Monday, Col. Marantan cited the team of Marundan led by Major Janus Macli-ing for their bravery in the line of duty in the aftermath of the anti-criminality operation which was marred by the gunbattle that killed the latter and the “armed and dangerous suspect.”
Apart from Maj. Macli-ing, others who were commended by the Davao City police chief were Police Master Sergeant Zosimo Paroco Jr., Police Staff Sergeants Marlou Marcojos and Mudramil Mansul and Patrolmen Ryan Rada and Renz Marundan.
The Davao City policemen were cited for their “acts of conspicuous courage during an intelligence and law enforcement operation in the city that resulted in an armed confrontation with the suspect,” said Col. Marantan. He said that Ansayod is a wanted member of the New People’s Army who has a record of involvement in serious crimes in Davao region.
The death of Marundan came days before PNP chief General Rommel Marbil said many policemen who believed in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s promise of legal assistance during his bloody “war on drugs” found themselves on the losing end.
The top cop made the revelation as he spoke about the challenges faced by police officers involved in the anti-drug campaign of the previous Duterte administration, underscoring the need for stronger support and protection for law enforcement personnel in the field.
Citing official PNP data from July 2016 to June 2022, Gen. Marbil shared that 1,286 police officers were affected in the line of duty with 312 of them losing their lives and 974 others were injured.
He acknowledged that these officers carried out their responsibilities with dedication and often faced considerable risks to ensure public safety. “Many officers endured not only physical harm but also found themselves entangled in legal and administrative challenges,” he said referring to the 214 officers who faced 352 criminal cases during the 2016-2022 period.
