A retired policeman suspected of shooting a police official four days ago was shot to death over the weekend by a gunman, alongside four companions on board three motorcycles, in Sibulan’s Barangay Ajong. Police identified the fatality as 46-year-old Rodrigo Tanador Soldevillo.
Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO) director, Police Colenel Julian Entoma, said Soldevillo is a suspect in the killing of the San Jose Police Station deputy police chief, Police Executive Master Sergeant Roldan Dellosa Esmajer
Initial police investigations showed, around 9:50 a.m. on Saturday, Soldevillo and two companions were sitting on a bench in front of his sari-sari store when the five unidentified suspects arrived. One of the suspects approached the retired police officer, shot him several times, and immediately fled the crime scene.
The victim was rushed to Silliman University Medical Center in neighboring Dumaguete City but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Investigators recovered eight deformed empty shells and three deformed slugs from a cal. 45 pistol from the scene of the crime.
Entoma said a search warrant was being sought against Soldevillo concerning the earlier shooting.
Esmajer was gunned down last Tuesday night along the national highway in the Negros Oriental town while on his way to the police station. The NOrPPO chief said police investigations showed a possible personal grudge between Esmajer and Soldevillo, which reportedly stemmed from “dishonest” practice involving fighting cocks.
He said Soldevillo had “many enemies” in the cockfighting community.
With regard to the victim’s companions at the time of the shooting, Entoma said they are hoping they cooperate and help police identify the suspects./DGB, WDJ