BCPO eyes three angles in kagawad’s slay

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) is looking into three angles that may have triggered the death of a barangay kagawad (council member) on Jan 11, 2020.

In a press briefing at Police Station 4 Monday, Police Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Pico, BCPO public information officer, said they are exploring all angles to establish the motive for the killing of Kagawad Romeo Canlas Jr.

Canlas, a resident of Barangay 2, was gunned down by six unidentified armed men on board a sports utility vehicle while at the house of another kagawad in Barangay 26 here over the weekend.

He succumbed to 12 gunshot wounds.

Pico said they will check if complaints were filed against the village councilman before or had been involved in any conflict.

“We will also check if it was politically-motivated since he was the number one elected kagawad in the village,” he added.

Pico said they are following the standard operating procedure in the investigation process.

“We cannot just stick to one angle just because he was allegedly linked to illegal drugs. We need to prove it through evidence,” he said.

Canlas, according to the police, was allegedly included in the drugs watch list of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

But, Pico maintained that they will check and validate reports about his alleged drug link.

He said they have difficulties for now because they lack witnesses who can identify the gunmen who were wearing masks and jackets.

“We will exert all efforts to solve the case,” he said.

This is the first shooting incident involving a barangay official here this year.

When asked for reaction about the allegations that police may be behind the attack, Pico denied it claiming that those who were alleged to be involved in illegal activities are subjected to legitimate police operations in line with the protocol.

Meanwhile, Mayor Evelio Leonardia urged the police to exert all efforts to solve the case.

The mayor is appealing to the public to come forward and help the police in the investigation by giving statements which could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.

He assured them that police will provide them protection.