Negros Or police shootings draw scrutiny, demand accountability

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, director of the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region, said justice will prevail for the victims of two shooting incidents involving a police officer that left a civilian and three policemen dead, including a municipal police chief, in Sibulan, Negros Oriental, on Jan. 9.

“There will be no whitewash. This investigation will be conducted with full transparency, and anyone found liable will be held accountable under the law,” Ibay said.

Ibay ordered an immediate and impartial regional-level investigation and directed the activation of a special investigation team to ensure the probe is thorough, evidence-based, and free from undue influence.

“We will not tolerate any form of misconduct within our ranks,” Ibay said, adding that the involvement of police personnel compels authorities to act with greater urgency, transparency, and accountability.

During a Saturday night press briefing in Negros Oriental, Ibay outlined the sequence of the two fatal incidents.

He said a group of six policemen, including the Sibulan police chief, went to a bar in Barangay Tubtubon on Friday night.

“There were six of them, including the police chief,” he said.

Four of the policemen were identified as Police Staff Sgt. Bonifacio Saycon, Police Senior Master Sgt. Tristan Chua, Patrolman Rey Albert Temblor, and Police Capt. Jose Edrohil Cimafranca, chief of the Sibulan Municipal Police Station.

According to PRO-NIR, the four officers were seated on a couch with a woman who worked at the bar, reportedly celebrating Cimafranca’s birthday, while the two other policemen were seated at a separate table.

Closed-circuit television footage circulating on social media since Saturday allegedly shows Saycon suddenly shooting the woman three times at about 9:45 p.m., killing her.

The woman was identified by police as Sheila Mae Dinaonao.

Authorities initially said Cimafranca, Chua, and Temblor responded to the bar shooting, arrested Saycon, and disarmed him.

However, investigators later disclosed that Saycon, Cimafranca, Temblor, and Chua were seen leaving the bar together and boarding a vehicle reportedly owned by Cimafranca.

“Meron pang diskusyon o pag-uusap sa labas ng establishment bago sila sumakay ng sasakyan,” Ibay said.

Ibay said Cimafranca was driving, with Saycon seated in the front passenger seat alongside another officer, while another policeman sat beside the driver.

Saycon later fled after allegedly shooting his colleagues inside the vehicle but surrendered to the Tanjay City Police Station at about 10:40 p.m. while carrying his service firearm.

When responding officers arrived, they found Cimafranca’s Mitsubishi Lancer parked along the roadside and the three wounded policemen, who were later declared dead at a hospital.

Based on visible injuries, Cimafranca sustained a gunshot wound to the nape, Chua was shot in the head, and Temblor was hit in the shoulder, police said.

Police Col. Criscente Tiguelo, director of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, said the suspect reportedly used a .45-caliber pistol in the bar shooting, while a 9 mm firearm was recovered inside Cimafranca’s car.

The firearms were subjected to ballistic examination.

Tiguelo acknowledged that the incidents affected police morale but assured the public that authorities remain committed to resolving the case.

Ibay said the two other policemen left the scene on motorcycles to seek assistance from a rural health unit after the bar shooting.

He said the two officers were placed under restrictive custody and disarmed pending the outcome of the investigation.

“Pinipilit naming alamin ang motive sa pagpatay sa babae sa bar and to establish what really happened in the car,” Ibay said.

He said investigators are also determining whether there were violations committed during Saycon’s arrest and why he was not handcuffed following the bar shooting.

Ibay said part of the probe will examine why the policemen were in a bar despite restrictions on uniformed personnel unless work-related, including rules on carrying firearms in such establishments.

“We can never tell kung ano motibo niya or kung pinagplanuhan niya. Hindi pa namin masabi sa ngayon. Palaisipan kung ba’t nagawa niya iyon,” Ibay said.

He noted that arrest protocols generally require suspects to be handcuffed, although certain situations may allow exceptions if the suspect is subdued.

Ibay said Saycon has remained silent about the incidents.

Saycon previously served as an intelligence operative at the San Jose Municipal Police Station before his reassignment to the Sibulan police force, Ibay said.

He added that investigators have identified witnesses to the bar shooting and are gathering additional evidence to strengthen the case.

Ibay said authorities have identified several CCTV cameras in the area and will request establishments to provide recordings.

“Anyone found liable regardless of rank or position will be held accountable under the law,” Ibay said.

“We understand the serious concern this incident has raised, and we assure the public that we are steadfast in upholding the rule of law, human rights, and public trust,” he said.

He urged the public to allow due process to take its course and to rely only on information released through official channels, saying the case is being closely monitored until final resolution.

“Hindi pagtatakpan ang nangyari. Pananagutin ang police na may kagagawan nito,” Ibay said.

In a statement posted on social media, Tiguelo said the provincial police stand united with the families, loved ones, and the police community in mourning the loss of the personnel.

“We honor their courage and dedication in the service of peace and public safety,” he said, adding that their service will not be forgotten.

The Negros Oriental police force said it remains steadfast in upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability.

San Jose Mayor Mel Nick Logronio also mourned the death of Cimafranca, who had previously served the town.

“I received the painful news that our former police chief, Chief Cimafranca, was shot and killed in Sibulan, alongside two of his fellow officers,” Logronio said in a social media post.

He described Cimafranca as a principled public servant who wore his badge with honor and led by example.

“He was honest, disciplined, and deeply committed to the safety of our people,” Logronio said.

The Negros Oriental provincial government called for healing and unity, urging residents to remain calm during the period of mourning.

“Let us support one another and work together to overcome the pain and division that such violence brings,” the provincial government said.

Gov. Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria denounced the shootings and expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and the Philippine National Police community.

“We honor their bravery, selfless service, and unwavering commitment to peace and public safety,” Sagarbarria said.

Sibulan Mayor Jose Abiera said he was deeply saddened by the incidents.

“No words can fully ease the pain of such a loss, but my thoughts are with you during this time of profound grief,” Abiera said.

“May the memory of these officers and the innocent civilian be honored with the respect and gratitude they deserve,” he added.