JAMIRI
BACOLOD CITY – Police Lt. Col. Jul Mohammad Jamiri, deputy provincial director for operations of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, was assigned as caretaker of the Sibulan Municipal Police Station in a concurrent capacity.
This was announced by Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, director of the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), in a press briefing, following the death of Police Capt. Jose Edrohil Cimafranca, Sibulan police chief.
Cimafranca was killed, along with two personnel, inside his car allegedly by Police Staff Sgt. Bonifacio Saycon in Barangay Tubtubon, Sibulan, following a bar shooting where a female worker was shot dead on Jan. 9.
Two other police personnel have been disarmed and now under restrictive custody after they were seen with Cimafranca's group in a bar.
Ibay said that additional personnel were deployed to augment the municipal police force.
Police Lt. Col. Joem Malong, PRO-NIR spokesperson, said that one team composed of seven personnel from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB)-NIR were sent to Sibulan. Ibay said this move is to ensure no disruption in the peace and order situation in Sibulan until a new police chief is assigned.
Ibay said that he called Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., PNP chief, to inform him about these incidents, and Nartatez directed him to thoroughly probe the case.
Ibay said that Nartatez told him to ensure no coverup and file cases against those involved. "We will find out the truth," he added.
"We understand the serious concern this incident has reached. We assured the public we are steadfast in upholding the rule of law, human rights, and trust of the people. Any act that undermines the honor, and integrity of police service will be dealt with," he said.
He urged the people to allow due process to take its course, and rely only on information that is provided through official channels. "This case is closely monitored until its final resolution," he said.
"Hindi pagtatakpan ang nangyari. Pananagutin ang police na may kagagawan nito. Hindi namin kagustuhan ito (There will be no coverup. Those responsible will face cases. We do not like this). Kung maka-affect sa (If this affects the image of the police) image ng police, the only thing we can do right now is to investigate properly, to give justice to the victims in these tragic incidents," Ibay said.