By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
The anti-drug operative who was slain last Sunday afternoon, August 29, was described as a diligent and dedicated cop by his colleagues and former police commanders.
Police Staff Sgt. Joseph Nepomuceno was driving his motorcycle around 5:00 p.m. along Bacolod City’s Rosario Street when he was shot multiple times by riding-in-tandem suspects.
Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) director, Police Colonel Manuel Placido, said they are saddened by the loss of one of their hardworking police operatives in the force.
Placido described Nepomuceno as instrumental in the arrest of several high-value individuals who are involved in illegal drugs.
He added that they have already received a directive from Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) director, Police Brigadier General Rolando Miranda, to exert all efforts to bring justice to the fallen operative.
Based on Nepomuceno’s records under the BCPO, he previously served under the station drug enforcement teams of police stations 3, 5 and 8.
He was also a member of the Drug Enforcement Team which led to the seizure of more than P18 million in shabu during an anti-drug operation in the city’s Barangay Taculing.
It was also noted that Nepomuceno did not receive any previous threats to his life, although investigators now strongly believe that the motive to his murder may be due to his work as an anti-drug operative./DGB, WDJ