• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
A police officer in Sibulan, Negros Oriental, brutally killed three fellow officers, including the Chief of Police of the Sibulan Municipal Police Station, and as a female civilian on Friday evening at Barangay Tubtuban, Sibulan, Negros Oriental.
Investigations revealed that prior to the incident, the suspect, PSSg. Bonifacio Saycon, was seated with three other police officers inside SAB Resto Bar in Barangay Tubtubon. The officers included PCapt. Jose Edrohil Cimafranca, Sibulan MPS Chief, who was celebrating his birthday that day; PSMS Tristan Joseph Chua; and Pat. Rey Albert Temblor.
CCTV footage showed Sheila Mae Denauanao, an employee of the bar, seated beside them.
Seconds later, without any apparent provocation, Saycon fired his caliber .45 pistol at Denauanao multiple times, hitting her in various parts of her body and causing her death.
Regional Director PBrig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay disclosed during a press conference that the suspect was found to be in the possession of two firearms inside the resto bar: the caliber .45 and a 9mm revolver.
Witnesses reported that after the shooting, Saycon and the three other officers boarded a vehicle. It was during that moment that Saycon allegedly opened fire again, killing his fellow officers with his 9mm revolver.
All police officers involved were assigned at the Sibulan Police Station.
PLt. Col. Joem Malong, PRO-NIR Spokesperson, revealed in an interview that the private vehicle used by the suspect and the victims was owned by PCapt. Cimafranca.
Authorities recovered shell casings from the firearms used in the killings.
Following the incident, the suspect fled the scene, but later voluntarily surrendered at the Tanjay City Police Station, where he arrived in his own vehicle. He is currently in police custody, undergoing custodial investigation, inquest proceedings, and administrative review.
SPECIAL INVESTIGATION TEAM
The Regional Police Office of Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has promptly activated a special investigation team to conduct an immediate, independent, regional-level inquiry to uphold the integrity of the case.
PRO-NIR Director PBrig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay ordered the formation of a special investigation team to ensure a thorough, evidence-based inquiry conducted without undue influence.
“There will be no whitewash. This investigation will be conducted with full transparency, and anyone found liable will be held accountable under the law,” Ibay emphasized during Saturday evening’s press conference. He added, “We will not cover up the police who committed this crime. Justice will be served for the victims.”
Ibay assured the bereaved families that the organization will extend financial assistance.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) issued a statement condemning the incident: “The PNP maintains a policy of zero tolerance for any immoral, illegal, or unethical acts that tarnish the service’s integrity or undermine public confidence.”
UNCOOPERATIVE
Ibay also disclosed that the motives behind the two related incidents are still under investigation, noting that Saycon has refused to provide an extra-judicial confession to authorities.
“We cannot compel him to speak until he is assisted by his lawyer. As of now, he is not cooperating,” Ibay said.
The provincial government of Negros Oriental, along with the municipal government of Sibulan and the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, expressed their mourning and condemned the brutal killings of the civilian and three law enforcers. They assured the public that justice will be duly served.*
