By CESAR JOLITO III
Two jail officers assigned to the Negros Occidental District Jail (NODJ) in Bago City’s Barangay Tabunan have been relieved from their posts following a recent shooting incident that targeted one of them just outside the facility.
An administrative relief order was signed by Jail Chief Superintendent Brendan Fulgencio as part of an ongoing investigation into the ambush attempt, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-Negros Island Region (BJMP-NIR) confirmed.
The two officers, both involved in jail operations, were reassigned to undisclosed locations for security and investigatory integrity, BJMP-NIR Legal Service Chief Jail Senior Inspector Juniven Umadhay said.
One of the officers was not directly involved in the ambush but was also relieved to prevent any undue influence on the probe.
“We are exploring all angles — including the possibility that this attack may be related to the officer’s work or interactions with persons deprived of liberty,” Umadhay said.
Fulgencio reiterated that while BJMP will not tolerate any misconduct among its personnel, it is also committed to protecting officers who are fulfilling their duties lawfully.
“The safety and accountability of our personnel remain paramount,” Fulgencio said.
“We will act based on the findings of the investigation and ensure that the principles of justice and professionalism are upheld,” he added.
Authorities reported that the jail officer, who was the apparent target, had just exited the district jail and was at a nearby carwash when two unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire.
The officer managed to escape unhurt by taking cover behind a parked vehicle.
A tricycle driver passing through the area, however, sustained minor injuries from either a stray bullet or shattered glass.
A parallel investigation is being conducted to determine the motive, particularly whether the ambush was job-related or stemmed from personal matters.
BJMP has pledged full cooperation with local police, who are handling the criminal aspect of the case./CJ, WDJ