Slain cop laid to rest

CEBU, Philippines — Police Staff Sergeant Ryan Languido Baculi, who was shot dead during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Kinasang-an, Cebu City, was laid to his final resting place yesterday morning, November 22,2023.

From their family residence in Zaragoza, Aloguinsan, fellow policemen carried Baculi's coffin to the church for a holy Mass.

After the Mass, Baculi, a bemedalled police officer and a father of 5, was taken to his final resting place at the Triumphant Cross Memorial Park in Carcar City.

Family and relatives, fellow police, and Baculi’s classmates of Batch Apostles were present during the funeral service.

Before he was shot, Baculi was assigned at the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office-7, assured that they will not stop until justice is served for the 32-year-old policeman.

"We are mourning and we will not stop until justice is served. We salute the heroism of CPL Ryan Baculi and his sacrifice will never be in vain,” said Pelare.

The police continue to search for two individuals, Atong Rafols and Ramil Salazar, who were the target of the buy-bust operation where Baculi posed as the poseur-buyer.

When Rafols and Salazar got alerted of the operation, Rafols allegedly shot Baculi before he and Salazar escaped. Baculi was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Since he joined the police force in 2014, Baculi received several awards and commendations including the Medalya ng Papuri, Medalya ng Kagalingan, Medalya ng Pagkilala, Medalya ng Paglilingkod Laban Sa Kriminalidad, Medalya ng Pagtulong sa Nasalanta, Medalya ng Kasanayan, Medalyang Paglaban sa Manliligalig, Medalya ng Paglilingkod sa Visayas, among others, some of which he received multiple times. — /ATO (FREEMAN)