Negros Oriental police chief relieved after triple killing

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, director of the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region, ordered the administrative relief of Police Col. Criscente Tiguelo as director of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office effective immediately following the killing of a police chief and two other officers in Sibulan town on Jan. 9.

Police Lt. Col. Joem Malong, regional police spokesperson, said Tiguelo was reassigned to the Regional Personnel Holding and Administrative Unit in line with the principle of command responsibility.

The regional office said the move aims to protect public trust and allow investigations and administrative processes to proceed without interference or perceived influence.

Police Col. Lito Patay, deputy regional director for operations, was designated officer in charge of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office to ensure continuity of command, operational stability, and close supervision of police units while the administrative process is ongoing.

Malong said the duration of Tiguelo’s reassignment remains uncertain, as the appointment of the next provincial police director is subject to the discretion of the Philippine National Police leadership at Camp Crame.

The shooting incident left dead Police Capt. Jose Edrohil Cimafranca, chief of the Sibulan Municipal Police Station, along with Police Senior Master Sgt. Tristan Chua and Police Patrolman Rey Albert Temblor.

The three officers were among six policemen who entered a bar in Barangay Tubtubon, Sibulan, where a female worker was also shot dead.

Police identified the suspect as Police Staff Sgt. Bonifacio Saycon, who surrendered to authorities but has so far declined to give a statement regarding the two shooting incidents.

Authorities said the motive for both killings remains under investigation.

Ibay said the circumstances surrounding the incidents would be established through a Special Investigation Task Group formed to focus on the cases.

The Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region assured the public that police operations and services in Negros Oriental remain uninterrupted and that the force remains committed to professionalism, accountability, transparency, and the rule of law.