PJAMESTREMEDAL
Associate editor
Police Officer 3 Edgardo Figuracion II, a policeman assigned as a nurse at the Provincial Hospital became a hero in his own right after he assumed parental obligation to an infant who lost her parents.
Figuracion, a member of the PNP recruit class 99-07 and a nursing graduate, adopted one-month old Ezzia straight from the hospital.
Unknown killers massacred Ezzia’s parents three years ago while they were deep in their sleep inside their home in Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur.
Ezzia’s was saved when her mother, who was breastfeeding at the moment when gunfires bursted, cover her with her body.
Ezzia’s father survived but later died while being treated at the hospital, leaving her in the care of the hospital personnel.
The girl had stab wounds and a cut wrist that needs tendon rehabilitation when taken to the hospital. Doctors said the girl has a 50-50 probability of surviving.
Figuracion’s compassion for the baby prompted him to adopt Ezzia.
During last week’s visit of Cynthia Verzosa, current national adviser of the PNP Ladies Club, who is also the wife of PNP Chief, Dir. Gen. Jesus Verzosa, Figuracion asked the lady Verzosa for help.
He pleaded for monetary aid for the operation and rehabilitation of Ezzia’s wrist.
The general’s wife promised to relay the request to her husband and even added that Figuracion will likely get a commendation and a promotion for his good deed.
PNP Regional Director Angel Hipolito Sunglao said he was impressed with Figuracion’s exploits, adding this comes with a reward.
"Here is a very extraordinary policeman who made his way in taking up shelter for a massacre victim. It is our obligation and responsibility to look and commend him as a hero on his own way,” Sunglao declared.