BACOLOD CITY – Murder and multiple murder charges were filed on Monday, Jan. 12, before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, against Police Staff Sgt. Bonifacio Saycon, who allegedly killed three fellow police officers and a woman in Sibulan, Negros Oriental, on January 9.
Saycon was heavily escorted by the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team to the Hall of Justice for inquest proceedings.
Police Col. Lito Patay, deputy regional director for operations of the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), who was designated as officer-in-charge of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, Police Col. Criscente Tiguelo, former Negros Oriental police director, accompanied investigators who filed the cases.
Saycon allegedly shot and killed Police Capt. Jose Edrohil Cimafranca, Sibulan police chief; Police Senior Master Sgt. Tristan Chua, and Police Patrolman Rey Albert Temblor, and civilian Sheila Mae Denauanao.
Police Lt. Col. Joem Malong, PRO-NIR spokesperson, said that murder charges were filed in relation to the death of Denauanao, and multiple murder charges for the killing of the three police officers.
Police Lt. Stephen Polinar, Negros Oriental police spokesperson, said that authorities have yet to establish Saycon’s motives.
Polinar said that they have yet to get any statement from Saycon as he refused to give an extrajudicial confession.
“Hindi namin alam kung anong napag-usapan nila ng lawyer niya,” he added.
Saycon is under the custody of Sibulan Municipal Police Station.
Polinar said Police Lt. Rey Mosquiter was relieved as deputy chief of the Sibulan Municipal Police Station.
Police Lt. Col. Jul Mohammad Jamiri, deputy provincial director for operations of Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, was tapped as caretaker.
Meanwhile, Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR chief, instructed all unit commanders to strictly enforce compliance with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Ethical Doctrine among their personnel.
Ibay, during an emergency meeting at the Maringal Hall of PRO-NIR in Camp Alfredo M. Montelibano Sr. in Barangay Estefania here on Monday, reminded all PNP personnel to strictly uphold discipline, professionalism, and ethical standards in the wake of the shooting incident in Sibulan.
Ibay underscored that the ethical doctrine requires police officers to uphold the highest levels of morality, decency, and professionalism at all times. (Glazyl Masculino)
