By CESAR JOLITO III
The Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) ordered an immediate and independent investigation into a brutal shooting incident in Negros Oriental’s Sibulan town that left one civilian and three police officers dead, vowing there will be “no whitewash” despite the suspect being a member of the police force.
“This investigation will be conducted with full transparency, and anyone found liable will be held accountable under the law,” PRO-NIR Director Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay said during a press briefing on Saturday, January 10.
“We will not cover up the police who committed this crime. Justice will be served for the victims,” he added.
Ibay ordered the creation of a Special Investigation Task Group to ensure a thorough, evidence-based and impartial investigation.
Three policemen and a woman were shot dead allegedly by a police noncommissioned officer on Friday, January 9, at a restobar in Sibulan’s Barangay Tubtubon.
The suspect was identified as Police Staff Sergeant Bonifacio Saycon, assigned to the Sibulan Municipal Police Station.
The fatalities included Sheila Mae Dinaonao, an employee and dancer at SAB Restobar, and police officers Sibulan Police Chief Captain Jose Edrohil Cimafranca, Senior Master Sergeant Tristan Joseph Chua, and Patrolman Rey Albert Temblor, all assigned to the police station.
Motive?
However, Ibay noted that the motive behind the killings remains under investigation, as Saycon has refused to execute an extrajudicial confession and is currently not cooperating with investigators without legal counsel.
Based on initial findings and CCTV footage, Saycon was seated inside the restobar with Cimafranca, Chua and Temblor at 9:35 p.m.
The gathering coincided with the birthday of Cimafranca.
Dinaonao was seen seated beside them, while the two other policemen were at another table.
Ibay later disclosed that the suspect was found to have two firearms inside the bar — a .45 caliber pistol and a 9mm revolver.
Without any apparent provocation, Saycon allegedly drew a .45 caliber pistol and fired multiple shots at Dinaonao, hitting her in various parts of the body and killing her instantly.
“The three other police officers, who appeared to be with the suspect in the bar, responded and disarmed him, placed him under arrest and took him into custody,” Police Captain Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NORPPO), said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency.
After the initial shooting, witnesses said Saycon and the three police officers boarded a private vehicle owned by Cimafranca.
“The suspect shot the victim thrice. There was a heated discussion outside the establishment before they boarded the car,” Ibay said.
Cimafranca was driving his vehicle, with Saycon seated in the passenger seat.
Moments later, Saycon allegedly opened fire again, this time using his 9mm firearm, killing his three fellow officers while inside the vehicle.
Police later found the vehicle parked along the roadside near a car showroom in the town.
The wounded officers were rushed to a medical facility but were declared dead on arrival.
The Victims
Surrender, evidence recovered
Following the shootings, Saycon fled the scene but later voluntarily surrendered at the Tanjay City Police Station, arriving in his own vehicle and turning over a firearm at 10:40 p.m.
Authorities recovered shell casings from the weapons allegedly used in the killings.
He is now under police custody and is facing multiple murder charges as well as administrative cases.
Custodial investigation and inquest proceedings are ongoing.
“[Saycon] turned over his issued firearm. He will be subjected to illegal drug testing,” Polinar said.
He was scheduled for paraffin testing and is now detained at the Tanjay Police Station.
Polinar added that witnesses from the bar scene have already surfaced.
Meanwhile, the NORPPO condemned the incident, reiterating its zero-tolerance policy for illegal and unethical acts that undermine public trust.
“We strongly condemn this senseless act of violence and stand united with the families, loved ones and the entire PNP community in grief and solidarity,” the NORPPO, under the leadership of Police Colonel Criscente Tiguelo, stressed in a statement.
“Justice must prevail,” the provincial police said. / With reports from PNA / CJ, WDJ