Mayor Jose A. Abiera issued a statement on 10 January regarding the death of three policemen and a woman that transpired on 9 January at Negros Oriental.

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic and senseless murder of our police officers, PCapt. Edrohil Cimafranca, the PNP Sibulan OIC; PSMS Tristan Chua; and PAT. Rey Albert Temblor; and Sheila Mae Dionanao, a civilian,” he said.

“I extend my sincere condolences to the families, loved ones, and colleagues of the slain victims. No words can fully ease the pain of such a loss, but my thoughts are with you during this time of profound grief,” he added.

The message was pertaining to the three police officers and a woman who were shot and killed in two separate but related incidents in Sibulan, Negros Oriental on Friday evening.

Capt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police, said the suspect in both incidents, identified as Police Staff Sargent Bonifacio Saycon, has voluntarily surrendered to authorities. He added that Saycon will be subjected to illegal drug testing.

Initial police investigation showed that Dinanao was first shot by Saycon at a bar in Barangay Tubtobon.

“The three other police officers, who appeared to be with the suspect in the bar, responded and disarmed him, placed him under arrest and took him into custody,” Polinar said.

While en route to the police station in a car, he said, Saycon pulled out a second gun and allegedly shot all his companions before fleeing the scene.

Lt. Col. Romeo Cubo, Tanjay City Police chief, said Saycon arrived at about 10:45 p.m. with his family in a private vehicle and turned himself in.

He was scheduled for paraffin testing and is now detained at the Tanjay Police station.

Polinar said the motives for the two shooting incidents have yet to be determined.

“Witnesses from the bar scene have already surfaced, but what transpired inside the car would be a challenge to investigators, as only Saycon will be the primary source of information,” he said.