Gov. Espino honors PO2 Mejia
CAPITOL NEWS
Necro of a Fallen Hero from Pangasinan
LINGAYEN – Gov.Amado T. Espino, Jr. led Pangasinan provincial officials, municipal officials of San Nicolas town, family members, relatives, friends and townmates of PO2 Ephraim G. Mejia in paying tribute to the fallen hero during his funeral and necrological service held at the municipal grounds of San Nicolas on February 5.
Emotions poured during the ceremony that even Gov. Espino held back his tears as he paid his final salute to the Pangasinense member who was among the 44 Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) commandos who were killed in an encounter with Muslim rebels in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last January.
Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. leads Pangasinan provincial officials in rendering snappy salute during the internment of PO2 Ephraim Mejia in San Nicolas town last February 5. Gov. Espino (lower photo) condoles with the family of slain PNP-SAF trooper, during the hero’s welcome of PO2 Ephraim Mejia on January 31.
The governor who spoke in grief, hailed the heroism of Mejia, a resident of San Nicolas town who successfully accomplished his mission in the defense of his country even as he strongly appealed that justice be served to the fallen SAF member.
Gov. Espino was happy and proud that Mejia and his 43 other comrades succeeded in accomplishing their task of getting their target but he lamented the thought that instead of celebrating their success, “we are all in mourning because of our hero’s death.”
The governor’s grieved over the gruesome death of Mejia and his comrades as he, being a former military man and a police officer, related a similar personal experience.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas (holding the casket), accompanied by Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. (left) and other local leaders, pay his last respects to PNP-SAF trooper Ephraim Mejia at San Nicolas, last February 2. /TQuimson
In his speech, the governor recalled the moments when he was ambushed by rebels when he was a young military officer. For six hours, he laid on the ground, helpless, as he sustained 11 gunshot wounds.
The governor shared that in times where you are awaiting apparent death in combat, there is nothing one can do but to think of one’s wife, children, parents and for one’s siblings.
During the necrological service, Vice-Governor Ferdinand Calimlim, Jr. and Board Member Ranjit R. Shahani handed the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution passed by the province’s legislative body expressing the province’s deepest sympathies and condolences to the bereaved family of the late PO2 Ephraim G. Mejia.
Another Pangasinense who was among the Fallen 44 heroes is PO2 Romeo Valles Senin II whose valor and gallantry was equally recognized by the province. Senin is a native son of San Fabian town, however his remains were brought to Iligan City where his family resides./ADV
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