• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
A series of shooting incidents involving the six armed men transpired in the town of Calatrava, Negros Occidental, on Sunday, leading to the death of a police officer.
The Calatrava Municipal Police Station said that the first incident transpired at a remote area of Sitio Tagda, Barangay Dolis, at around 7:50 a.m.
Initial investigation revealed that the victim, a 58-year-old male, was outside his home preparing for Sunday mass when 6 unidentified armed men approached and shot him twice in the head. The suspects fled toward the mountainous portion of the barangay.
Three hours later, personnel of the 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company (1st NOCPMFC) encountered an unidentified number of armed men while conducting a service of warrant operation in Brgy. Menchaca. The armed group opened fire, resulting in a brief firefight.
Initial assessments indicated that the armed individuals were likely the same suspects involved in the earlier shooting in Barangay Dolis.
During the encounter, troops were forced to disperse due to hostile fire and challenging terrain. After the encounter, a police officer identified as PSMS Rommel Aguilar, of the 3rd Maneuver Platoon, 1st NOCPMFC, was reported missing.
At around 12:30 p.m. Aguilar was found dead in Purok 5, Brgy. Laga-an, approximately 20 kilometers from the town proper and inaccessible to vehicles due to weather conditions.
Residents in the area stated that the victim had been seeking help when six armed men arrived and collectively shot him.
POLICE INTENSIFIES PROBE
In response, the Calatrava MPS, together with supporting units from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) and the Philippine Army, is now on heightened alert and is conducting intensified investigation and pursuit operations following the series of violent incidents.
Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, Regional Director, Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), condemned the series of attacks that were done in broad daylight.
“We strongly condemn these brutal attacks against civilians and our police personnel. Rest assured, we are mobilizing all available resources to ensure that the perpetrators are tracked down and brought to justice,” Ibay said, vowing to solve the case immediately.
The responding units conducted on-site investigations in all affected areas and coordinated with adjacent police stations and AFP units, including the 79th Infantry Battalion and Army forces in Tigbon and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-NIR for dragnet and blocking operations while hot pursuit operations were launched against the fleeing suspects.
The motive behind the attacks remains under investigation.
FALLEN COP MOURNED, JUSTICE VOWED
PRO-NIR expressed deep sorrow over the death of PSMS Rommel Aguilar, the police officer who went missing during an armed encounter in Calatrava and was later found slain by the same armed group involved in earlier attacks.
Police said that Aguilar was known for his dedication and service to the community, and his passing leaves a profound void in PRO NIR.
“We are heartbroken by the loss of PSMS Aguilar—a brave police officer, a committed public servant, and a brother in uniform. His courage in protecting the people of Negros will never be forgotten,” Ibay said in a statement, vowing to the family that they will not stop pursuing the suspects until justice is served.
PRO-NIR, together with AFP forces and provincial units, are continuing intensified pursuit operations to apprehend the armed group responsible for the series of violent incidents.*
