Grudges probed in Sibulan killings of 4

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Authorities are focusing on personal grudges as a possible motive behind two shooting incidents involving a police officer that left a civilian and three police officers dead in Sibulan town, Negros Oriental, on Jan. 9.

Police Capt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson for the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, said investigators do not yet know the extent of the alleged grudges.

“It has to be proven while the case is on trial,” he added.

Speculation on social media suggested jealousy as an initial motive, but Polinar said investigators have ruled out that angle.

Polinar said authorities do not know where the information came from because police have not released any statement suggesting jealousy as a line of inquiry.

In a press briefing Monday, the Philippine National Police said authorities are looking at severe intoxication and other factors — not jealousy over a woman — as a possible reason.

A special investigation task group has been formed to focus on the incidents, but authorities have not released further details on the motive pending the investigation.

Two separate criminal complaints for murder and multiple murder were filed Monday against Police Staff Sgt. Bonifacio Saycon in connection with the deaths of Chelamie Dinawanao, 38; Police Capt. Jose Edrohil Cimafranca, chief of the Sibulan Municipal Police Station; Police Senior Master Sgt. Tristan Chua; and Patrolman Rey Albert Temblor.

Authorities alleged Saycon shot and killed the three police officers in a separate incident after the bar shooting in Barangay Tubtubon, Sibulan, where Dinawanao was also killed.

Polinar said the victims were among a group of six police officers who went to the bar that night to celebrate the police chief’s birthday.

Dinawanao’s remains were transported Monday from Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, to her hometown in Barangay Santiago, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, with assistance from the Sibulan municipal government and in coordination with the provincial government of Zamboanga del Sur.

Polinar said local police will also provide financial assistance to Dinawanao’s family, and that she had been working at the bar for about two months.

Dinawanao’s mother, Lucy, said in a radio interview that she could not believe what happened to her daughter, the fifth of her nine children.

Lucy said she was unable to sleep after learning of the incident.

She remembered Dinawanao as a good and kind daughter.

Lucy said Dinawanao went to Negros Oriental to look for work to support their family and her two children, and that she was the family’s breadwinner.

Meanwhile, Polinar said Chua’s interment is initially set for Jan. 19, while police are still verifying the wake and funeral schedules for Cimafranca and Temblor.