By: Atty. Julius Gregory Delgado

“Tell me how he died. No, I will tell you how he lived.” – The Last Samurai

In law, there is what we call as perpetuation of testimony. We secure the testimony of a witness, usually a witness of advanced age or who is gravely sick, ahead of time since he or she might not be able to testify during trial. I am writing this tribute in honor of a classmate, soccer teammate and a friend, P01 Michael JunneEjoc, or simply Dodo to his close friends, to perpetuate the tale of his heroism. Before he will be buried into the whirlpool of oblivion, I may be able to tell you who he is and how he lived. Before he becomes a mere part of statistics of men and women in uniform killed in action, I may be able to share to you his dream for a peaceful and orderly society. Born on June 25, 1982, Dodo is third from the youngest of ten (10) children ofSpouses Miguel and Estela Ejoc of Sitio Suba, Brgy. Centro, Tubigon, Bohol.Dodo was my classmate way back in elementary at Tubigon Central Elementary School. We were teammates in our school's soccer varsity team. I played goalkeeper and he played midfielder. He was strong, agile, precise and graceful soccer player. Dodo was a role player and was not afraid to take a hard fall just to tackle and get back the ball possession. Dodo excelled in the sport and went on to represent our province in soccer tournaments.

After finishing his secondary studies at Holy Cross Academy, Dodo went to take up Criminology at the University of Bohol. Even if we parted ways since high school, we usually play in local soccer tournaments in our town during fiestas. Since Dodo moved to Tagbilaran, I have not seen him for quite a long time until a few years ago when he suddenly called my attention while I was buying flowers in Agora. Dodo and his wife Marietta were then operating a small eatery and a flower business in Agora. Dodo told me that he was applying to become a policeman. I told him, “OK naman ning imong business Do. You really want to enter the police force?” He replied, “Sayang man ako na human ug ganahang yud ko mahimong police para pud makatabang sa katilingban.”

Dodo's reply to me made me realize that there are still modern-day heroes. During this time when many would consider heroism asa mere cliché, there are still men and women who are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice of giving up their lives for others and for a peaceful and orderly society. Dodo died a day after the thirty-first (31st) anniversary of the assassination of the late Sen. Ninoy Aquino, father of the incumbent President. Dodo's lifeless body near the drug den where he was hit by a criminal's bullet resembles that of Ninoy's body in the airport tarmac three (3) decades ago. It is a picture of bravery and like a canvass painted with blood, a lifetime testament of Dodo's courage and commitment to his sworn duty. Not all will give him tribute, not all will honor him for what happened. Some will say “gapahero-hero man gud” and some will quickly quip and anchor their blame on operational lapses. But what is clear here is this brave man who did not shirk from his duty to the nation and the people. It is clear that the fight against illegal drugs is far from over. Let the death of P01 Ejoc be an inspiration to his colleagues in the ranks of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to carry on the fight until we will have a drug-free province.

No amount of accolades and tributes can console Marietta and their children Lord John (6), Lady Kate (5), Mikaela (3) and Prince Coje (2). Marietta lost a good husband and their children, at the very young age, lost a good father. The highest honor we can give Dodo is not only to remember him but most importantly to be reminded of the cause which he died for. I will not be able to attend Dodo's wake to see him draped by a Philippine flag. I will not be there at his funeral to witness his colleagues offer him gun salute. But I will do my part to ensure that his death will not be put in vain and his story will not just be a file which will gather dust in the filing cabinet. May P01 Ejoc's death be a beacon and an inspiration not only to his colleagues but the community in the fight against drugs and criminality in general. His family told me that Dodo said he often talked about me and was proud of me. Now, I will say, I am proud of him and honored to have known him in his lifetime. Farewell and rest in peace my friend. You are now in the hands of our Creator.