Cop kills three police officers, civilian in Negros Oriental town
A policeman killed three police officers and a civilian in Barangay Tubtubon, Sibulan, Negros Oriental, on Jan. 9), the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) reported.
Those killed were Sibulan Police Station chief Capt. Jose Edrohil Cimafranca, Senior Master Sgt. Tristan Chua, Patrolman Rey Albert Temblor and Sheila Mae Dinanao.
A police report said that at around 9:35 p.m. Friday, Dinanao was allegedly shot by Staff Sgt. Bonifacio Saycon, a member of the Sibulan Police Station, inside SAB Resto Bar.
Saycon was then arrested by three responding police officers, but while en route to the police station aboard a vehicle, he reportedly shot them.
They were on board a Mitsubishi Lancer with plate number JDP 808, owned by Cimafranca.
The suspect later fled but voluntarily surrendered at 10:40 p.m. at the Tanjay City Police Station.
He is currently under police custody and undergoing custodial investigation, inquest proceedings and administrative processing.
No whitewash
Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR director, has directed the activation of a special investigation team to handle the case and ensure that the probe is thorough, evidence-based and free from undue influence.
“There will be no whitewash. This investigation will be conducted with full transparency, and anyone found liable will be held accountable under the law,” he said.
The PRO-NIR assured the public that it remains firmly committed to accountability, professionalism and the rule of law, especially in incidents involving police personnel.
