Retiring Bacolod cop found dead at home

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Authorities are investigating the death of a 56-year-old police commissioned officer who was found lifeless at his residence in Barangay Handumanan here on Tuesday.

Police Capt. Genus David, head of Police Station 10, confirmed the death of Police Lt. Col. Romeo Vargas, chief of the City Administrative Resource Management Unit of the Bacolod City Police Office.

David said Vargas was found by his daughter with a gunshot wound to the head inside his bedroom at around 8 a.m.

His daughter wondered why her father’s motorcycle was still at the house that morning and, upon checking his room, found him lying on the floor with blood nearby.

Police have released limited information on the incident while an investigation is underway.

The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region expressed its deepest condolences to the bereaved family, loved ones, friends, and colleagues of Vargas during this difficult time.

“We respectfully request everyone to allow the authorities to complete the investigation and to refrain from spreading unverified information or speculation out of respect for the family and the ongoing proceedings,” the PRO-NIR said.

The regional office said the matter is already under investigation in coordination with the appropriate forensic and investigative teams to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“We assure the public that a thorough and impartial investigation is being conducted,” the PRO-NIR said in a statement.

Vargas dedicated years of service to the Philippine National Police with commitment and professionalism, and his passing is deeply felt within the police organization and the community he served, the regional office said.

Vargas was supposed to retire in October after 33 years in the police service.

Before his assignment at the BCPO, he had led various police stations in Negros Occidental.