• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A police officer linked to the fatal shooting of a 42-year-old businesswoman was charged for murder before the Talisay City Prosecutor’s Office.
The suspect identified as PStaff Sgt. Enrique Gonzalodo Jr. surrendered to the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) on Nov. 1.
He confessed involvement in the disappearance and death of Kristine Joy Dignadice of Victorias City, according to the PRO-NIR.
Dignadice succumbed to a lone gunshot wound in the right shoulder, with bullet exiting through her neck, based on the post-mortem examnation on her cadaver, which was found inside a sugarcane field in Don Jorge Araneta in Bago City, following the surrender of Gonzalodo.
Gonzalodo claimed in his extra-judicial confession that the shooting was accidental, the police said.
The crime was reported to have been committed in Talisay City.
Negros Occidental Third district Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez, a former mayor of Victorias City, thanked the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office led by PCol. Dennis Wenceslao for acting with integrity and courage.
“It is never easy to hold one of your own accountable, but doing what is right must always come before loyalty,” Benitez said in a statement posted on social media.
“May the consequences of his actions remind everyone that no one is above the badge they wear,” he added. | GB
