Suspect in drug operative’s killing dies in hospital

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — A 32-year-old man who allegedly shot and killed an anti-illegal drug operative here on April 10 died in a hospital the following day.

Police Col. Eugene Rebadomia, director of the Bacolod City Police Office, confirmed the death of the suspect at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital at 5:27 a.m. on April 11.

Authorities withheld the suspect’s name.

Rebadomia clarified that only the suspect’s family is authorized to obtain a copy of the medical records detailing the cause of death.

The suspect allegedly shot and killed Police Master Sgt. Romulo Galvez Jr., 43, during a buy-bust operation outside a motel in Barangay Singcang-Airport here on April 9.

The operation led to the recovery of PHP 48,000 worth of suspected marijuana.

Rebadomia stressed that the suspect was immediately brought to the hospital after the inventory of drug evidence, contrary to reports that the suspect died inside a custodial facility.

He said it is standard operating procedure to bring a suspect to a hospital for medical examination before bringing him to a police station for custody.

Police operatives had body-worn cameras to support this, and some media were also present, he added.

“It’s a normal reaction (from the public), but they don’t know the whole story,” he said.

Rebadomia said the suspect was confined to the hospital because he was unruly and aggressive and could not be examined at the time.

The suspect’s injuries were sustained while struggling with officers for control of the gun after the shooting, he said.

“There was really a strong resistance from the suspect. But, the police did not use a firearm to subdue him as there was no intention to cause further injuries,” Rebadomia said.

He said they have reached out to the suspect’s family to assess any assistance they could extend but had only initially talked to the live-in partner and were awaiting feedback from the suspect’s immediate family.

Rebadomia said it is the right of the suspect’s family to press charges against the police for the death of their family member.

The suspect was reported notorious and had several complaints or offenses per BCPO records, he said.

Meanwhile, Rebadomia accompanied Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, director of Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region, on Sunday to visit the wake of Galvez and extend financial and emotional support to the bereaved family at their house in Barangay Dulao, Bago City, Negros Occidental.

Ibay emphasized that the sacrifice of Galvez will never be forgotten and that his legacy of courage and dedication will continue to inspire the entire police force.

Rebadomia said BCPO personnel are currently on low morale after the death of Galvez.

“We did our part. I am praying this will not happen again to any of our personnel,” Rebadomia said, adding that this is the first time such an incident has occurred since he assumed leadership of the city police force.

Following the incident, Rebadomia said PRO-NIR emphasized the need to review basic life support training to enable personnel to apply first aid in similar situations.

Personnel were also told not to be complacent during any police operation.

Galvez served 18 years in police service. His interment is set on April 26 at a cemetery in Barangay Sum-ag here.

The city government of Bago also mourned the passing of Galvez, a native of Bago City, and expressed solidarity with the family.

“The city honors his courage, the ultimate sacrifice he made, and the legacy of service he left behind,” the city government stated.