Another policeman shot and killed; suspect arrested

CEBU, Philippines - A retired policeman was shot dead while on board a motorcycle-for-hire heading to a parcel of land he owned in Barangay Lawaan, Alcantara town, last Monday morning.

Senior Police Officer 2 Ambrosio Pableo Jr., 62, of Barangay Poblacion West, Moalboal town, was with his wife, Jocelyn, 54, when he was shot by motorcycle-for-hire driver Dodgie Dionaldo, 28, of Barangay Cabadiangan, Alcantara.

Ambrosio was declared dead on arrival at the Badian District Hospital after he was shot in the right side of his neck with the bullet exiting from the other side.

Ian Soriño, of Moalboal, the driver of the motorcycle ridden by Pableo, was also hit in the right thumb and given first aid.

Dionaldo was arrested by the police in Barangay Lawaan two hours after the incident after he was positively identified by Jocelyn.

He is now detained at the Alcantara police stockade.

Ambrosio was seated behind his wife who was seated behind Soriño when they were shot at by Dionaldo who allegedly waited for them at a grassy area.

Aside from hitting the two men, Dionaldo also hit the headlight, gasoline tank and the rear tire of the motorcycle.

SPO1 Christopher Bani, Alcantara police investigator, said that prior to the shooting Soriño overtook the motorcycle of the victims and waited for them in Barangay Lawaan.

Dionaldo denied the allegations of Jocelyn and the police and will be subjected to a paraffin test at the PNP Crime Laboratory-7.

Police still have no leads as to the motive of the crime because Ambrosio and Dionaldo only knew each other for a short time and both had no conflict.

Just recently another policeman, SPO2 Roberto Canencia, was also shot dead after attending a hearing of a suspect he arrested before in Barangay Poblacion, Danao City.

He was heading home to Barangay Sabang on board his motorcycle when five unidentified assailants shot at him.

Homicide investigator PO2 Phil Restauro said they were investigating a person whom they suspected to be involved in the killing.

Personnel of the Provincial Intelligence Branch and the Provincial Investigation and Detection Management Branch were deployed to help in the investigation.

Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, Cebu Provincial Police Office director, said the case is being investigated. –(FREEMAN)