PNP sacks Negros Oriental director after separate bar, car shootings

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) in the Negros Island Region on Monday, January 12, relieved the police director of Negros Oriental following the separate shooting deaths of a town police chief, two of his subordinates, and a woman in a bar over the weekend.

The killings on Friday, January 9, allegedly carried out by another policeman, also brought renewed attention to the longstanding PNP rule prohibiting law enforcers from going to bars and similar establishments.

Colonel Criscente Tiguelo was ordered replaced as director of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, effective immediately. He was succeeded by his deputy director for operations, Colonel Lito Patay.

PNP-NIR director Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay, who ordered the leadership change, said Tiguelo will temporarily be assigned to the Negros Island Police Regional Personnel Holding Administrative Unit.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Jamiri has been named officer-in-charge of the Sibulan Municipal Police Station as a result of the killing of its chief.

On Monday, authorities filed multiple murder charges against the suspect, Staff Sergeant Bonifacio Saycon Jr., a member of the Sibulan Municipal Police Station. He was immediately subjected to inquests proceeding at the Negros Oriental Provincial Prosecutor’s Office. 

Saycon, who earlier turned himself in, is detained at the Tanjay City Police Station.

Ibay said Tiguelo’s relief was intended to ensure an impartial investigation into the shooting in Barangay Tubtubon, Sibulan town, on Friday night.

“Tiguelo’s relief is aimed at safeguarding public trust and ensuring that ongoing processes and inquiries in the case will proceed without interference or perceived influence,” Ibay said. He also vowed a thorough investigation free from undue influence.

Patay was instructed to ensure that law enforcers in the province remain committed to professionalism, transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.

Saycon allegedly killed the town police chief, Captain Jose Edohril Cimafranca; two other colleagues, Senior Master Sergeant Tristan Vhuan and Patrolman Albert Temblor; and a civilian, Sheila Mae Dinaonao of Zamboanga City. Jealousy was initially seen as the motive behind the attacks.

Initial investigation showed that on January 9, six policemen from the Sibulan Municipal Police Station, led by Cimafranca, were participating in a sing-along session at SAB Resto Bar in Barangay Tubtubon. The gathering was an extension of Cimafranca’s birthday celebration that day.

Saycon reportedly became jealous when Dinaonao sat beside Cimafranca, prompting him to shoot her thrice. 

Investigation showed that Cimafranca and his subordinates were already bringing Saycon to their police station in a car when the suspect allegedly pulled a gun and opened fire, killing Cimafranca, Chua, and Temblor instantly. 

Two other policemen, riding on a motorcycle, were unharmed and are now being investigated.

Meanwhile, Camp Crame has issued a directive instructing over 6,000 police personnel in Negros Island Region to stay away from bars and establishments of ill repute.

Lieutenant Stephen Jaynard Polinar, PNP-Negros Oriental spokesman, told Rappler on Monday that it was a “stark warning” for law enforcers to avoid going to such places.

“Everybody knows the current directive that we’ve already cascaded from PNP Headquarters down to the lowest units of PNP in Negros. As we mourn the tragic loss of our colleagues, we hope all of us will follow the basic instructions to avoid a repeat of the same incident,” Polinar said. “We are experiencing low morale right now.”

Ibay said Section 3.1 of the PNP Ethical Doctrine states that police personnel are expected to behave as models of the community, and their “conduct – whether on or off duty – that compromise integrity, discipline, and professionalism will not be tolerated.” 

The PNP Administrative Code and 1990s circulars, including an old National Police Commission memorandum circular, listed “loitering in gambling joints, narcotics dens, prostitution houses, hotels, motels, mahjong joints, cockpits, night clubs, cocktail lounges, bars, bookie corners, and other questionable places when not in the performance of police duty” as a punishable offense.

Succeeding memorandum circular in the 2000s reinforced the rule, explicitly prohibiting police from taking intoxicating drinks in nightclubs, beer joints, disco pubs, cockpits, and similar venues, whether in uniform or off duty, unless on official business. – Rappler.com