Zumarraganhons warmly welcomes Chief PNP in their island and in their home

By PIA Samar
June 11, 2010

CATBALOGAN CITY  –  If the Chief PNP feels elated with the pronouncement of Presidernt-elect Noynoy Aquino to retain him as Chief PNP, Zumarraganhons equally feel elated that the highest ranking PNP member chose Zumarraga to hold his ‘Legacy Run’.

“Never have we felt so secure in our entire life“, said the Montejo family who are from Bohol but has stayed in the island for more than twenty years, referring to the hundreds of PNP that suddenly sprouted in the island.

A teen ager who works at a snack pub owned by Elan Castillo said: I did not know Zumarraga had so much police force this time, she was surprised to see some 300-400 PNP men in blue t-shirst and shorts (athletic uniform) running in threes and retracing once or twice the one long road that defines the major throughfare in this small island town.

Chief PNP Jesus Verzosa, PNP Region 8 Director Rey Lañada, Samar PNP Provincial Director Pancho Huibilla and Zumarraga Chief Danilo Cornita led the runners that include PNP women in front.

A Zumarraga resident named Mano Remegio Bucatcat said he is happy that the PNP chose his hometown as the venue for the activity.

“Yana pa gud la ini hitatabo ha Zumarraga, nalilipay gud kami,” (trans: this is the first time it happened in Zumarraga, we are happy and honored.) he told PIA.

Mano Pictoy is from Barangay Canwarak who claims to be a Verzosa. “Iba gud it pag abat kun aada ka hin butnga han mga pulis, gwardyado ka gud,” he beamed. (trans: It‘s different if you are in the midst of PNP men, you are so secure.)

Some Zumarraganhons opened their houses for guests and PNP elements who came in droves for the two-way affair; the Verzosa clan reunion and the Legacy Run.

The Chief PNP hailed the island town for its beautiful cove, the clean and pristine waters: “walang lumulutang na papel, malinis at maraming lamang dagat“, his words to describe the beaches and coastal waters of Zumarraga.

He even jested that as he loved sea diving, he will be looking for some properties to develop and serve as his diving place when he retires.

Newly-elected Mayor Myrna Tan ‘embraced’ the presence of the general whom she described as maki-pamilya. Her vice-mayor goes by the name of Manny Verzosa.