• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine National Police attributed the killing of a town police chief and two other policemen as well as a woman in Sibulan, Negros Oriental to severe alcohol intoxication and personal grudge.
PNP spokesperson PBrig. Gen. Randulf Tuano, in a press briefing at Camp Crame on Monday, Jan. 12, ruled out that the incident was triggered by an argument involving a woman at the bar.
PSSg Bonifacio Saycon was identified as the suspect in the death of PCapt. Jose Edrohil Cimafranca, chief of Sibulan Municipal Police Station, and two other police officers, PSMS Tristan Chua and Patrolman Rey Albert Temblor, as well as bar worker Chelamie Dinawanao.
Tuaño said the policemen’s session at the bar followed the post-birthday celebration of Cimafranca, whose birthday was on Jan. 7, with a post celebration held on Jan. 9.
The shooting that killed the three police officers allegedly stemmed from the suspect’s belief that his companions were conspiring against him, based on an unsigned statement treated as an extrajudicial confession.
Six police personnel were inside SAB Bar at the time of the incident.
Saycon was initially arrested and disarmed of a caliber .45 pistol after shooting to death the female bar worker.
However, he was not frisked or handcuffed and was still carrying a Glock 17 pistol.
Saycon shot his superior and two colleagues while they were inside the car driven by Cimafranca.
Two police officers trailing them on a motorcycle were supposed to call for medical assistance, following the shooting incident inside the bar. | GB
