Suspect in Bacolod City cop slaying dies in hospital
BACOLOD CITY—A 32-year-old man tagged in the killing of a police officer during a buy-bust operation here died at a local hospital on Saturday morning.
The suspect, a resident of Barangay Sum-ag in the city, died at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Hospital at 5:27 a.m., Bacolod City director Police Col. Eugene Rebadomia said on Sunday.
Rebadomia said the man allegedly grappled with officers who were trying to disarm him after he shot Police Master Sgt. Romulo Galvez during a buy-bust operation along Alijis Road in Barangay Singcang on April 9.
The suspect was not brought to a police station but was taken directly to the hospital for medical examination after being restrained, the police official said.
Upon arrival, the suspect was reportedly unruly and refused medical examination, Rebadomia added. The attending physician later recommended confinement to help calm him down.
His live-in partner was able to visit him last Friday morning, police said.
Authorities said they have yet to receive an official report from the hospital on the exact cause of death.
Criminal records
Rebadomia also said the suspect had prior criminal records for robbery and theft in Bacolod City police stations.
Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Tomas Ibay, director of Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region, visited the wake of Galvez and extended financial assistance to the officer’s family.
Ibay said Galvez’s “sacrifice will never be forgotten,” adding that his courage and dedication would continue to inspire the police force.
Galvez previously served in Sulu before joining the Bacolod City Police Office Special Weapons and Tactics unit. He later worked as a warrant and drug operative and received several commendations, according to a police report.
Galvez was hailed as a hero for dying in the line of duty during an anti-illegal drugs operation. In an earlier statement, Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya said Galvez made the “ultimate sacrifice in our city’s ongoing pursuit of peace, justice and the eradication of the illegal drug trade.”
