Ilog cops involved in anti-illegal gambling commotion under probe

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Internal Affairs Service (IAS) will conduct a pre-charge investigation against all personnel involved in a commotion in an anti-illegal gambling operation in Barangay Dancalan, Ilog, Negros Occidental last week.

But, Police Captain Judesses Catalogo, public information officer of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), clarified that these personnel were not relieved from their posts while investigation is ongoing.

The incident happened on March 18 wherein Police Captain Thurslie Castillo, Ilog town police chief, was wounded when he was allegedly attacked by two civilians when they responded to a report regarding a cara y cruz game in the said area.

Castillo shot the two civilians who resisted the police and also shot their companion who was armed with a bladed weapon.

One of the civilians, who was reportedly drunk, died while two others were wounded. A 16-year-old boy was hit by a stray bullet.

Castillo suffered three stab wounds and was already discharged from the hospital.

The four civilians, including the slain suspect, were charged for frustrated murder and illegal possession of deadly weapons, according to Police Executive Master Sergeant Jomel Villavicencio, deputy police chief of Ilog Municipal Police Station.

Meanwhile, Catalogo said that if IAS find probable cause, these police personnel will be subjected to a summary hearing and their case reviewed.

After the incident, Catalogo said that Police Colonel Leo Pamittan, Nocppo director, reminded the police to take extra care in police operations to prevent the same from happening.

Catalogo said that Pamittan visited Castillo at the hospital after the incident and went to the police station to check what really happened.