Murder raps filed vs cop in Negros Oriental shootings

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Two separate criminal complaints for murder and multiple murder were filed Monday, Jan. 12, before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, against Police Staff Sgt. Bonifacio Saycon in connection with the deaths of three police officers and a civilian in Sibulan town on Jan. 9.

Saycon was brought to the Hall of Justice under heavy escort by the Special Weapons and Tactics team for inquest proceedings Monday afternoon.

Police Col. Lito Patay, deputy regional director for operations of Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) and recently designated officer in charge of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NORPPO), accompanied the filing of the cases along with Police Col. Criscente Tiguelo, who was relieved as provincial police director following the shootings.

The charges stemmed from the killings of Police Capt. Jose Edrohil Cimafranca, chief of the Sibulan Municipal Police Station; Police Senior Master Sgt. Tristan Chua; Patrolman Rey Albert Temblor; and civilian Chelamie Dinawanao.

Investigators said the first shooting happened inside a restobar in Barangay Tubtubon, Sibulan, where Dinawanao, an employee of the establishment, was shot and killed.

They said the second shooting followed and resulted in the deaths of the three police officers inside a vehicle.

Police Lt. Col. Joem Malong, PRO-NIR spokesperson, said a murder charge was filed for Dinawanao’s death, while multiple murder charges were filed for the killing of the three police officers.

Police Capt. Stephen Polinar, NORPPO spokesperson, said Saycon has not issued a statement after refusing to give an extrajudicial confession.

“Hindi namin alam kung anong napag-usapan nila ng lawyer niya,” Polinar said.

Saycon remains in the custody of the Sibulan Municipal Police Station after he surrendered to authorities, Polinar said.

Polinar said the Internal Affairs Service has been probing Saycon’s administrative case.

The National Police Commission-Negros Island Region has also taken cognizance of the administrative investigation and extended its condolences to the families of the victims.

In a statement, the commission said it is committed to a thorough and impartial investigation.

It said it will exercise its mandate to monitor and investigate police anomalies and irregularities to ensure justice and accountability within the Philippine National Police (PNP), pursuant to Republic Act No. 8551, or the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998.

Meanwhile, Polinar confirmed that Police Lt. Rey Mosquiter was relieved as deputy chief of the Sibulan Municipal Police Station following the incident.

The municipal police force is now under the supervision of Police Lt. Col. Jul Mohammad Jamiri, NORPPO deputy provincial director for operations, who has been designated as caretaker in a concurrent capacity.