• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
After the controversial shooting incident in Sibulan, Negros Occidental, the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has administratively relieved the provincial director of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO), PCol. Criscente Tiguelo.
PRO-NIR said that the relief is administrative in nature and is carried out in line with command responsibility and established procedures of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The primary objective of the decision is for safeguarding public trust and ensuring that ongoing processes and inquiries may proceed without interference or perceived influence.
PCol. Lito Patay, Deputy Regional Director for Operations (DRDO), has been temporarily designated as officer-in-charge (OIC) of the NOrPPO while the investigation into the case is underway.
“His designation is intended to ensure continuity of command, operational stability, and strict supervision of all police units in the province while the administrative process is ongoing,” PLt. Col. Joem Malong, PRO-NIR spokesperson, said.
It was recalled that PSSg Bonifacio Saycon Jr., a police officer, killed his three fellow officers and a woman in Sibulan, Negros Oriental, on January 9.
Among the killed was Sheila Mae Denauanao, a worker at SAB Resto Bar, where the suspect and three other police officers visited. After Saycon killed Denauanao inside the restobar, he also gunned down PCapt. Jose Edrohil Cimafranca, Sibulan MPS chief, who was celebrating his birthday on the day of the incident; PSMS Tristan Joseph Chua; and Pat. Rey Albert Temblor while they are in the private car owned by Cimafranca.
Saycon surrendered himself to the Tanjay Component City Police Station after the crime.
SIBULAN MPS CHIEF
Malong said that the Sibulan Municipal Police Station gets a new chief after the death of Cimafranca.
PLt. Col. Jul Mohammad Jamiri, the Deputy Provincial Director for Operations (NOrPPO), will take over the leadership of Sibulan MPS as the officer-in-charge (OIC), concurrent to his position.
UPHOLD ETHICAL STANDARDS
In light of the recent shooting incident involving police officers, Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, regional director, has reminded all PNP personnel to strictly adhere to the PNP Ethical Doctrine.
Based on Section 3.1 of the PNP Ethical Doctrine, PNP members shall set good examples for others to follow, and at no time during their service shall they be involved in, patronize, or tolerate houses of ill-repute, illegal gambling dens, or other establishments devoted to vice, unless on official duty, within their areas of responsibility.
Ibay emphasized that police officers are held to higher ethical standards because of the authority and trust vested in them by the public.
The regional director further underscored that ethical accountability goes hand in hand with legal accountability, and strict observance of the PNP Ethical Doctrine is essential in preventing incidents that endanger lives and erode public trust.*
