By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The remains of former Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) member, Police Superintendent Santiago Rapiz, arrived in Bacolod City yesterday and are now interred at the Rolling Hills Memorial Chapels in Barangay Mandalagan.

Based on information obtained by members of local media, Rapiz’ remains arrived from Dipolog City around 2:30 a.m. and were immediately brought to the memorial chapel by family.

Rapiz left behind three children, two of whom are currently active in the police force. The family has yet to make an official statement.

Several police officers, most of whom previously served with Rapiz, also paid their respects.

Last Monday, Rapiz was killed by members of the Philippine National Police-Counter Intelligence Task Force and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency during a buy-bust operation, where the law enforcement official allegedly fought back after he found out he was transacting with an undercover cop.

Police recovered several sachets of suspected shabu, weighing around 25 grams; and a .45 caliber pistol.

The former NOPPO official, who previously served as police chief for Escalante City and Victorias City, along with formerly heading the NOPPO Police Community Relations office, was transferred to Police Regional Office-9 in 2016 after being named by Serenio.

The New People’s Army, meanwhile came to the slain officer’s defense, saying, he does not have a criminal record in Negros and was not involved in the sale or use of illegal drugs.

The rebels claimed Rapiz only became part of the 13,000 victims of ‘Oplan: Tokhang’ under President Rodrigo Duterte’s regime./DGB, WDJ