Financial assistance and Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) sessions were provided to bereaved families of Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP SAF) PO2 Omar Nacionales and PO2 Ephraim Mejia during the visit of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas in Luna, La Union and in San Nicolas, Pangasinan, respectively, on 2 February 2015.
CISD session and provision of financial and food assistance to Nacionales family was done in Luna, La Union by Regional Director Marcelo Nicomedes J. Castillo together with SWO III Maricel Caleja and SWO II Mylene Cabanban. The same assistance was provided by ARD Marlene Febes D. Peralta, SWO IV Clarivel Banzuela, and SWO II Sheryll Bringas in San Nicolas, Pangasinan for Mejia’s family.
SAF PO2 Mejia’s family did not anticipate his early death because of his bravery and determination to surpass critical situations such as the operation. He reminded them prior to the operation not to be weary because of his confidence that he will survive. His father recalled him to be ‘madiskarte’. Also, his wife did not expect this to happen since Ephraim was very calm during his calls prior to the operation.
Besides the assistance from the Provincial Government of Pangasinan, LGU San Nicolas also provided Php 100,000 as payment for the burial lot of SAF PO2 Mejia. Wife Miya expressed her plans to properly manage the aid being extended to them. Pangasinan 6th District Representative Marlyn Agabas committed Miya to join the Government Internship Program (GIP) at the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office for her to be close to her child and family while working.
On the other hand, SAF PO2 Nacionales’ family recalls him as a happy fellow, full of dreams for his family, and very persistent on the things he does. According to his wife, SAF PO2 Gae Ann DG. Nacionales, he was brilliant and courageous. She even recalled her last phone call with SAF PO2 Nacionales mentioning about the details of the operation; he said that after 5 hours of no call from him means he did not survive.
During the CISD, grieving SAF PO2 Gae Ann narrated the death of their infant few months ago. As of the moment, she has no one to get strength from to start anew. She has no definite plans for now but if granted, she wanted more days of vacation leave.
SAF PO2 Nacionales’ bereaved family requested medical assistance for the eye operation of the mother and medication of the father with pneumonia and high blood especially that they have no PhilHealth cards and even senior citizen IDs. They also requested the possibility of Omar’s brother Ezer joining the PNP since he already passed the Board Exam in Criminolgy, wife SAF PO2 Gae Ann to be re-assigned in Cordillera, and a farm tractor for the parents instead of repair of their typhoon-affected house in Marcos, Ilocos Norte.
Both families will be further assisted by DSWD through a series of CISD sessions, Expanded Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (E-AICS), and possible livelihood or employment facilitation. (by : Iryn D. Cubangbang, Information Officer II)
