• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A 44-year-old police officer was allegedly shot dead by his own son, a minor, on April 27 inside their home, at Purok Eba in Brgy. Andres Bonifacio, Sagay City, Negros Occidental.
The victim, identified as PSSg Lernie Alacha, a member of the Sagay City Police Station, died on the spot after he succumbed to a gunshot injury in the neck, according to initial police investigations.
The incident was triggered after the victim discovered that his live-in partner, Irene Dayanan, has numerous followers in her Tiktok account.
A report submitted by the Sagay City Police Station to the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, said it sparked jealousy and led to a heated argument between the couple, culminating in the victim expressing thoughts of self-harm. In a desperate attempt to intervene, the live-in partner grappled with the victim, leading to a struggle inside their room.
Triggered by the escalating conflict, the minor allegedly retrieved his father’s service firearm, a 9mm Glock, stored in a plastic box outside the room. Without hesitation, the 7-year-old returned to the room and fatally shot his father, hitting his left neck, resulting in his death, police investigations further showed.
The minor is now in the custody of the Women and Children’s Protection Desk (WCPD), as the investigation is ongoing.
In an interview with Aksyon Radyo, Irene Dayanan, 33, Alacha’s live-in partner, said her husband was jealous because some of her followers on her social media account are messaging her.
Dayanan said their fight escalated into physical violence in front of their children.
PLt. Col. John Mocyat, Sagay Police chief, said that all the people inside the house were subjected to a paraffin test, while the body of Alacha was also subjected to an autopsy examination.
PBrig.Gen. Jack Wanky, regional director, said he does not believe that the 7-year-old suspect was capable of shooting his father. “All persons inside the house should be considered as persons of interest in relation to the incident,” Wanky said in a separate radio interview.
He added that the circumstances of the crime are “still not clear.”
“There is the possible angle of suicide, and the fastest excuse is to point to the child as the suspect because he cannot be prosecuted as he is still a minor,” Wanky said.
He also reminded police officers to be responsible in taking care of their service firearms by placing it away from the reach of their children.*
