Suspect in Capiz cop killing arrested

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — The prime suspect in the fatal shooting of a police officer two months ago was arrested Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 30, in Sitio Baybay, Barangay Malic, Pontevedra, Capiz.

Operatives swooped down on the house of a certain Juvy Bagares, where the suspect in the fatal shooting of Police Capt. Rian Ampoyos in Barangay Binuntucan, Pontevedra, Capiz, was allegedly hiding.

Operatives arrested Leonil Deocampo of Barangay Bungsuan, Dumarao, Capiz, who was listed as the No. 7 most wanted person in the province.

The warrant of arrest was issued Aug. 12, 2026, by Regional Trial Court Judge Sesinio Navales Belen Jr. of Branch 15 in Roxas City, Capiz.

During the implementation of the warrant, Bagares managed to flee the house, leaving behind several firearms, ammunition and other items.

Police recovered a .45-caliber pistol, 12 rounds of .45-caliber ammunition, two .45-caliber pistol magazines, a black inside holster, a black sling bag, two .38-caliber revolvers, six rounds of .38-caliber ammunition and a moss-green sling bag.

Also recovered were an M16 rifle identified in the report as “Bosch Master,” 149 rounds of M16 ammunition, six M16 magazines, a camouflage bandolier, a 9 mm Taurus pistol, 29 rounds of 9 mm ammunition, two 9 mm pistol magazines and a fragmentation grenade.

Police said the recovered firearms will undergo ballistic examination to determine whether any were used in previous shooting incidents.

Deocampo faces a murder charge, with no bail recommended, and a case for alleged violation of Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Police Col. David Cachumbo Jr., director of the Capiz Police Provincial Office (CPPO), said the operation was carried out by joint forces from the 1st Capiz Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), Capiz Police Intelligence Unit, 2nd Capiz PMFC, Pontevedra Municipal Police Station, Regional Intelligence Division (RID) and Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG).

The suspect is under the custody of the Pontevedra Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.

Police said Deocampo admitted shooting Ampoyos during the incident, claiming the police officer had previously harmed him.

Ampoyos was shot and killed while attempting to pacify a commotion inside a KTV bar in Barangay Binuntucan, Pontevedra, Capiz, shortly after midnight on July 20, 2026.

Ampoyos, 48, was a former commander of the 1st Capiz PMFC and a resident of President Roxas, Capiz.

Ampoyos was off duty and having dinner with colleagues when the bar owner asked for help in calming a disturbance at another table.

As Ampoyos stepped in to verify and pacify the situation, one of the suspects pulled out a .45-caliber pistol and shot him.

He was rushed to Bailan District Hospital and declared dead on arrival.

Murder complaints and cases for alleged violations of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act were filed against three individuals: William Paulino Deocampo and two others identified by the aliases “Boy” and “Juan.”

Police identified “Boy” as the actual gunman, while William Deocampo, who possessed a firearm, was restrained at the scene by customers and the bar owner.

Police later identified alias “Boy” as Leonil Deocampo, the province’s No. 7 most wanted person and the suspect arrested Wednesday.

Meanwhile, police are preparing to file a case against Bagares for allegedly harboring a criminal.

During a news conference called by Cachumbo at the CPPO on Thursday morning, Oct. 1, police said Bagares will also face charges for alleged illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives.

Punong Barangay Dominador Burata said Bagares had no criminal record in the barangay, although some neighbors had complained about his alleged gun-firing activities.