Slain NegOr police chief laid to rest

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Police Capt. Jose Edrohil Cimafranca, chief of the Sibulan Municipal Police Station in Negros Oriental, was laid to rest Wednesday at Dumaguete Memorial Park in Barangay Bogo, Dumaguete City.

Cimafranca was accorded a 21-gun salute in recognition of his dedication, courage and faithful service to the police force and the nation.

Police Col. Lito Patay, deputy regional director for operations of the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region and officer in charge of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (Norppo), paid his final respects and expressed condolences to the bereaved family.

Before his interment, Cimafranca’s remains were brought to the Sibulan Municipal Police Station for public viewing.

A Holy Mass followed at 10 a.m. at San Antonio de Padua Parish in Barangay Poblacion, Sibulan.

The 52-year-old police officer was a native of Iloilo and a resident of Valencia, Negros Oriental.

He is survived by his wife and two children.

Cimafranca joined the police service in July 1996 and served for nearly three decades.

In a radio interview, Cimafranca’s son expressed deep sorrow over his father’s death, saying he had been looking forward to showing his diploma to him as he is set to graduate this year.

Cimafranca was among four individuals—two fellow police officers and a woman—who were allegedly shot and killed by Police Staff Sgt. Bonifacio Saycon at a restobar and inside the police chief’s car in Barangay Tubtubon, Sibulan, on Jan. 9, two days after Cimafranca’s birthday.

Saycon has been charged with murder and multiple murder in connection with the killings, while the investigation into his administrative case is ongoing.

On Tuesday night, National Police Commission–Negros Island Region Director Owen De Luna visited Cimafranca’s wake at St. Peter Funeral Chapel in Barangay Banilad, Bacong, where a necrological service was held in his honor.

Norppo also provided financial assistance to Cimafranca’s wife as a gesture of support and compassion.

“Though he has departed from our ranks, the values he lived by—integrity, professionalism and commitment to duty—will continue to inspire the Philippine National Police community and all those whose lives he touched,” Norppo said in a statement.

The provincial police office remembered him as a devoted police officer, a dependable comrade and a steadfast servant of the people.

“Your service will always be remembered, and your sacrifice will always be honored,” it added.

Meanwhile, the interment of Police Senior Master Sgt. Tristan Joseph Chua and Patrolman Rey Albert Temblor is set for Jan. 19.

Chua will be laid to rest at the Sibulan public cemetery after a Holy Mass at San Antonio de Padua Parish in Sibulan at 10 a.m.

Temblor will be buried at Serenity Garden Memorial Park Cemetery in Tanjay City after a Holy Mass at Saint James the Greater Parish in Tanjay City at 9 a.m.

Chua, 39, was born in Dumaguete City and resided in Sibulan. He is survived by his wife and one child.

He joined the police organization in June 2008 and served for nearly 18 years. He was assigned as chief intelligence police noncommissioned officer at the Sibulan police station.

Temblor, 32, was a native of Agusan del Norte and resided in Tanjay City. He entered the police service in October 2020 and served for five years. He was assigned as an assistant in the supply section of the Sibulan Municipal Police Station.