PNP Chief, “Pulis Nyo Po” Director General Nicanor A Bartolome today issued posthumous promotion orders for a policeman stationed in Quezon province who died in battle against armed robbers in Atimonan town on Wednesday.

“There is always a hero in each and every policeman,” Bartolome said as he gave instructions to the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM) to expedite processing of the posthumous promotion orders and all death benefits for the late PO3 Francisco Villania.

Villania was promoted to the next higher rank of Senior Police Officer I in recognition of his bravery and gallantry during a running gunbattle against armed members of a robbery group that staged a hold-up at a local convenience store.

Reports reaching Camp Crame from Calabarzon PNP Regional Director, CSupt James Melad disclosed that Villania and his buddy PO2 Benito Reyes were conducting mobile patrol operations when they responded to the reported robbery at the Mr.D convenience store along Orda St in Atimonan, Quezon at 2:50PM last Wednesday.

Upon sensing the arrival of responding policemen, the robbers reportedly fled on board a tricycle and a commandeered jeepney towards the direction of nearby Plaridel, Quezon with Villania and Reyes giving chase in their patrol car.

Upon reaching Barangay Angeles in Atimonan, the suspects fired at the pursuing police patrol. Villania died on the spot due to multiple gunshot wounds while suspect Arturo JURADO was wounded and subdued by police.

A follow-up dragnet operation led by Atimonan Police Chief, Senior Inspector Marcelino Platino later intercepted two other suspects identified as Miguel Mollas TARGA of Sitio Palaway, Barangay Polo, Mauban, Quezon, and Elmer ENCINA y Ursolino alias Ben Acosta of Barangay Sta. Maria, Calauag, Quezon.

Two more suspects        who escaped, a certain “April” and “Bobby” both of Tayabas City are now the subject of a provincewide manhunt operation by police tracker teams.

Police recovered from the suspects a 9mm UZI submachinegun, a cal.38 handgun, five cellphones, and P1,300.00 cash.

Investigators uncovered the suspect’s participation in a previous robbery in the province thru the confiscated UZI submachinegun which was part of the loot taken during the Inigo Sports Center robbery in Lucena City last January 22, 2012. (PNP-PIO)