By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6) director, Police Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, said the police officers involved in the recent shootout in Bacolod City’s Barangay Sum-ag, which led to the death of two suspected robbers, acted lawfully.

According to Bulalacao, information provided regarding the incident indicate there was no “overkill” on the part of the police officers, noting, they followed rules of engagement since the two suspects posed a threat.

However, the PRO-6 chief stated, as per policy within the Philippine National Police, the Regional Internal Affairs Service-6 is currently conducting an investigation to see if the police officers encountered any lapses during the operation.

Bulalacao also extended condolences to the family of 70-year-old Delfin Ortiz, a civilian who was killed during the incident after he was struck by a stray bullet.

Meanwhile, he also assured the three wounded victims would be “given justice,” citing the ongoing internal probe to determine if they were struck bullets from the robbers or police.

He added, appropriate sanctions would be applied if police are found at fault.

Last Friday, suspected robbers, identified as Agustin Criminal Gang members Armelle Espadon and Ryan Alib, burglarized a panel van in Barangay Taloc, Bago City.

The suspects fled in the direction of Barangay Sum-ag, wherein Bacolod City Mobile Force Company officers were on the lookout after being informed by Bago City police.

Both Espadon and Alib were cornered in front of Sum-ag National High School, which led to the gun battle and their eventual demise.

The panel van driver, Ruben Cuelo, was later arrested after investigators discovered he worked with the suspects during the robbery, which he later admitted to.

Cuelo is presently detained at Bago City Police Station and faces robbery charges./DGB, WDJ