Online newsletter for the citizens of Sagunto, Sison, Pangasinan, Philippines
By: Loejan S. Anudon
The municipality of Sison mourns the untimely death of a young policeman, PO2 Jonathan B. Gomez, who was brutally killed in Bantay Insik in the presence of his twelve year old son, Apollo, along with two cousins.
The Sison Police Department is mourning the loss of their friend and colleague. According to Police Chief Inspector Rodolfo D. Castro, Nathan was a promising officer who had earned and refused a promotion in the department as he wanted to concentrate on a business for the betterment of his family. He says of Nathan, “Tuwing may mga kailangan ang mga pulis, siya tumutulong” (Everytime his fellow officers needed anything he was always there to help).
Nathan, as he is commonly known in the barangay and by his peers, is thirty three years old at the time of his death and left behind his son, mother, brother, sister and a whole barangay full of relatives.
He is the second among three children; Myra, the eldest; and Arlan, the youngest. His mother, Mrs. Arsenia B. Gomez, a former school teacher at Artacho National High School, is still in the U.S. as of this writing but is now in a hurried pace to go home to be with her dearly loved son before bringing him to his final resting place in Barangay Agat New Cemetery. The date and time of interment is not yet set due to some consultations and decisions that are still to be made by his family.
Investigations conducted by the police revealed that the suspect, Leo Delgado, of Bantay Insik is the victim’s kumpadre. Prior to the incident, the suspect invited Nathan for a feast but Nathan didn’t want to go alone . He tried to persuade his niece, Mae, and younger brother, Arlan and wife, to come with him but they declined because it might take them long and there is work the following day being Monday. Instead, he brought along with him four children: Diana, the daughter of Arlan and Clara; Janjan, Son of Myra, Balong Dumal-is; and his own son, Apollo.
There was merriment and everyone was enjoying the party. When the grownups ran out of liquor, the suspect ordered his wife to go and buy more but the wife refused. The snub embarrassed the suspect and a quarrel between the latter and his wife ensued. His instincts as police impelled Nathan to appease the two and also took the opportunity to say he is leaving because it is already ten o’clock in the evening and the children with him have classes to attend the following day. This further aggravated the suspect who ran to his van to get his hidden firearm and shot Nathan in the head three times. The first shot may not have been fatal as Nathan was still able to command Balong, the oldest among the three children, to take Diana, Janjan and Apollo to safety. After the shooting, the suspect jumped on his motorbike and fled.
Immediately upon hearing the news, Arlan Gomez went to Kagawad Angel E. Castillo for assistance. On board the Kagawad’s car, they were in Sitio Caalvarezan in Esperanza when they spotted Apollo and the other two children who were terribly worn out and still in extreme terror.When they arrived back in Bantay Insik, Nathan’s body was still sprawled on the ground, rigor mortis starting to set in.
Witnesses claim to hearing three shots but police recovered six empty shells. After the shooting, the suspect threw his gun in the rice field but someone saw him do it and so the police were able to recover the murder weapon.
Nathan’s body was taken to the Emergency Hospital in Rosario, La Union but they declined to do the autopsy claiming that it is not within their jurisdiction. His body was then returned to the Pallada Funeral Home in Pozorrubio where municipal doctor, Dr. Maria Fe B. Lagmay performed the autopsy the following day.
Reports now confirm that the suspect surrendered in Manila but strongly requested not to be turned over to Sison PNP. He is now detained in Lingayen jail and has been charged with murder with use of unlicensed firearm.
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Thank you, Loejan, for the informative report. Though it cannot bring Nathan back, it is a consolation that the perpetrator was apprehended and justice can be meted out appropriately.
OPG
Bot,
There are some corrections in the article. there were four children, namely: Diana, daughter of Arlan and Clara; Janjan, son of Myra Gomez; Balong Dumal-is, and Nathan’s son, Apollo.
Balong, being the oldest, was the one whom Nathan gave the order to bring the other kids to safety
I’m so devastated! still can’t believe it..
I lost a good friend…i’ve known him since kindergarten.
Everytime i go back home for holiday, he was always there..
A dear good friend you can count on always…
You’ll be remembered forever…
our deepest sympathy to the gomez family and to all relatives of nathan, such a sad way to go, we all saddened and our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow and always.
Am heading home this 23rd and was actually expecting to raise another glass with him just like last time we came home … we’ll all miss him dearly!
thanks manong leojan for the update. at least maski papano me nasisilip ng justice for nathan
My deppest sympathy to the Baiguen & Gomez family and all relatives of “Jonathan” sad to see him go.
Auntie Arsenia Arlan and Myra and the whole Gomez and BAiguen Clan,
BHie and I was in tears upon hearing the news from Ferdie and Thanks for the details Kagawad Loej and Mang Judee forwarding the write ups about the incident we are having a Barb-Q dinner when the message arrived and the excitement vanished when the news came.
Jonathan is to be remembered as a calm loving and so Polite Kabagyan…No more Pain and frustrations for him He is at Peace with the LOrd.
May the Good Lord Continue to comfort you Auntie Arsing and Family and Guide you to move on a life now that Jonathan joined his Creator.
In behalf of sitio Pilawan, I would like to extend our sincere and heartfelt condolence to Mrs Arsenia Gomez, Myra and Arlan.
It’s truly sad to read the latest news about my classmate,his always been a good classmate . Nathan may you rest in peace.Condolence to the Baiguen-Gomez family CASTILLO-SALVADOR-RICHARDS
We are deeply saddened to hear of your loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you….
Hold tight to memories for comfort..
Nathan was a good person, and a great friend. He will be missed.
Condolence to the Baiguen-Gomez family.
our deepest sympathy to auntie arsenia, mng myra, mg arlan and to baiguen – gomez clan.
remembering mg nathan in childhood days, a silent yet friendly and approachable brother. your smiling face and great deeds will always be remembered.
May you rest in peace manong.
Our prayers for justice.
JOB asked,
”If a man dies, will he live again?”
JESUS answered,
”I am the resurrection and the life, He who believes
in me will live, even though he dies.”
condolence to Baiguen-Gomez Family
Our deepest sympathy to Baiguen-Gomez family.We,here in Vancouver are saddened to hear the news.We can’t believe that it happened to him.He is a friendly – approachable type of person.
Condolence to the Baiguen-Gomez Family
To: Mrs. Arsenia Baiguen Gomez and Family accept our Sincere Condolences for the Loss of a Friend and relative who had been a part of the community leaving behind good memories as he passed through this world.
Prayer for JUSTICE for the Peace of everybody.
It’s hard to think what people can do nowadays, one unexpected moment and will change your life forever. And the sad thing is, you can never rewind. In this crazy world right now, and will even get worse, there is only one answer to everyone’s life, GOD. Whatever status we have in life, if we don’t have God in our lives, we are nothing. God loves His children and no one can ever harm them unless He allows it (like Job). He is sovereign and His love is touching us right now. Let us all open our hearts and have some time alone with Him, in spirit and in truth.
Our prayers be with the Baiguen-Gomez family at this time of sorrow that the Lord will give them comfort and guidance according to His way.
I know Nathan had touched life of many, an inspiration to parents and young people in Sagunto. He earned his respect and an absolute model in the community. What can I say about him? Something negative there is! medyo nasakit nga aminen ngem agpayso nga natartaraki isuna ngem siak. Anybody might be asking, who am I talking about him? We grew up together, we played together, we shared our dreams when we were kids. We may not best of friends but we know each other well. His statements about his dreams still rings in my ear “ton dumakkelak kayat ko ti agbalin nga suldado, agluganak to diay truck ti suldado nga 6×6 ta iparadak ditoy plaza”, uray damagen yo ken pren nga Intol ammo na dayta no saan na a nga nalipatanen. And he did, as a policeman. Never did Nathan wasted the days of his youth. He was never like us that had issues with “bartek” and other bad stuff, but he was able to carry himself not different from us. I have so much to say about this man and I know that everybody would say the same thing about him. I believe Ma’am Gomez is so proud of him, as well as Mng Myra and Arlan. He may be gone physically, but his life will be an inspiration to guide most young people who aspire to be like him.
I will surely miss you PREN!
That was a very touching tribute YoungGuns, thank you for sharing your memory of Nathan. I’m sure it helps the Baiguen/Gomez family to know that their loved one made a difference and left a positive mark in the community.
OPGlasser
IT IS SO SAD TO LET A GOODFRIEND GO ESPECIALLY IF HE WILL BE GONE FOREVER BUT EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT HE IS VERY ESPECIAL PERSON TO HIS MOM MADAM ARSENIA BRO AND SIS,RELATIVES AND FRIENDS.NATHAN,I COULD STILL REMEMBER UR WORDS THAT YOU WILL BE WAITING ON MY RETURN AND YOU EVEN ASKED ME TO BRING YOU “CHIVAS OR JACK DANIEL”CONDOLENCE TO THE GOMEZ FAMILY…….FROM JOY OF EL PASO TEXAS