BACOLOD CITY -- Chief Inspector Jake Barila who was injured while pacifying an amok last Wednesday (March 21) was awarded the Philippine National Police (PNP) Wounded Medal over the weekend.
Chief Supt. Cesar Binag, director of the Police Regional Office-6, presented the medal to Barila at his ward at the Dr. Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital here, in the presence of his wife and children Saturday afternoon.
The PRO-6 said in a statement that Barila -- the officer-in-charge of the Hinigaran Municipal Police Station in Negros Occidental -- is a hero, whose bravery and devotion to duty is worthy of emulation.
Barila led the team that responded to the residence of Victoria de Ysasi in Hacienda Manucao-A, Barangay Palayog, where the complainant’s son, Dabi de Ysasi, was acting violently.
The younger de Ysasi indiscriminately fired a .45-caliber pistol and also mauled his mother. He threatened to kill everyone in the house if they do not give him money.
Barila tried to convince de Ysasi to calm down and surrender peacefully but the suspect became even more violent in the course of the three-hour negotiation.
De Ysasi fired at the policemen, hitting Barila on the left thigh. Barila returned fire and hit the suspect on the chest.
The suspect, a newly-identified drug personality by the Hinigaran police, was treated at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Hospital, also in this city. (PNA)
