Sibulan: The Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Cimafranca is managing new and additional information crucial in building a strong case against a police officer facing charges for the murders of three colleagues and a female civilian in Sibulan, Negros Oriental. On Monday, the suspect, Staff Sgt. Bonifacio Saycon, was presented for inquest proceedings at the Provincial Prosecutor's Office.

According to Philippine News Agency, a multiple murder complaint was filed against Saycon following allegations that he fatally shot civilian Chelamie Dinawanao and Sibulan police officers Capt. Jose Edrohil Cimafranca, Senior Master Sgt. Tristan Chua, and Patrolman Rey Albert Temblor last Friday night. The incident reportedly occurred with the woman being killed inside a bar and the three officers outside.

Capt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson for the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO), stated in an interview that the SITG is diligently processing information from various sources and witnesses to the crime. Despite this, investigators have yet to determine the motives behind the act. Witnesses, including two other police officers present in the bar, the bar owner, and the security guard, have provided affidavits.

'We cannot disclose certain information . until the SITG has wrapped up its investigation,' Polinar noted. Meanwhile, Staff Sgt. Julius Fausto and Corporal Franky Adriano, also assigned to the Sibulan police station, have been disarmed and are now under restrictive custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

In a related development, NOrPPO Director Col. Criscente Tiguelo has been reassigned to the Regional Personnel Holding Administrative Unit of the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) just three months into his tenure. Col. Lito Patay, the current PRO-NIR Deputy Director for Operations and head of SITG Cimafranca, has been appointed as the officer-in-charge.

'The administrative relief is carried out in line with command responsibility and established procedures of the Philippine National Police, with the primary objective of safeguarding public trust and ensuring that ongoing processes and inquiries may proceed without interference or perceived influence,' a statement from the PRO-NIR emphasized.