WAKE VISIT. President Rodrigo R. Duterte gives his last salute to the late Mallig, Isabela Police Chief Senior Inspector Michael Angelo Tubaña after posthumuously awarding the Order of Lapu-Lapu, Rank of Kalasag to the slain police officer during the President's wake visit on June 21, 2018. Tubaña was killed during an anti-illegal drug operation in the same town last June 17. Also in the photo is the wife of the slain police officer, Joana. (Presidential Photo)
CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte condoled with the family of the slain police officer at a wake at the Isabela police provincial office here Thursday.
In his 20-minute stay at his "solemnly restricted" visit to the wake of Mallig, Isabela police chief, Senior Inspector Michael Angelo Tubaña, President Duterte saluted the remains as he expressed sympathy to the slain police's wife, Anne, and parents Josue and Loida Tubaña. He assured the immediate release of the benefits due to the slain police's immediate family.
Earlier, local officials welcomed the President upon his arrival at about 5 p.m. at the Tactical Operations Group 2 at the Cauayan Air Force in Cauayan and later took a chopper to the 5th Infantry Division in Gamu and then to the Isabela police provincial office, where he visited the wake.
Some local government officials such as Isabela Governor Faustino Dy III and Ilagan Mayor Evelyn Diaz had been with Duterte during his visit.
The Presidential Security Group has barred media and spectators to go inside the wake area as the President, who had other schedules after the wake visit, did not talk to the media and to the spectators outside the provincial police office.
Tubaña was shot to death by the two suspects during the conduct of a buy-bust operation at 10:15 p.m. Sunday along the National Highway in Barangay Centro 1, Mallig, Isabela.
The police said the suspects "suddenly drew an undetermined caliber of short firearm and shot the victim hitting the right side of his body." The suspects then fled the scene on a motorcycle.
Tubaña was immediately brought to Yumena Hospital in Roxas, Isabela but was pronounced dead while undergoing medical treatment.
Earlier, Tubaña received a medal of valor or Medalya ng Kadakilaan on June 19 in Gamu, Isabela
The two suspects identified as Warren Bulawit, 19, and another suspect who is a minor, were nabbed in a pursuit operation around 10 a.m. Monday in Tabuk City, Kalinga. Bulauit was tested positive of paraffin and drug tests. He and his cohort were indicted for murder on Tuesday.
The 31-year-old slain policeman is a graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy of Masaligan Class in 2011. (PNA)
