By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A police officer was shot dead Tuesday night along the national highway in Barangay Tapon Norte B in San Jose, Negros Oriental. Authorities identified the fatality as Police Executive Master Sergeant Roldan Dellosa Esmajer, a resident of Barangay Tapon Norte of the said municipality.
Based on initial investigations, police found the victim was shot and killed by riding-in-tandem suspects wearing jackets and black helmets. Additionally, eyewitnesses told investigators that the back rider shot the victim three times before fleeing in a southbound direction.
Esmajer sustained three gunshot wounds to the upper abdomen and right lateral chest area, and was rushed to Silliman Medical Center for immediate medical attention but eventually succumbed to his injuries.
No empty shells were recovered from the crime scene by the responding police personnel.
Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office director, Police Colonel Julian Entoma, said they are looking into three possible angles into the murder including work-related, as he has been actively involved in anti-illegal drugs operations; a personal grudge; or insurgency-related./DGB, WDJ