Police chief slain

CEBU, Philippines - The police chief of Alcoy town was shot dead by a barangay councilman who is also a former policeman after an argument at the covered court of Barangay Poblacion, Alcoy, Sunday evening.

Inspector Crisanto Abella, 44, of Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City, was shot several times in different parts of his body. He was rushed to the Julio Cardinal Rosales Memorial Hospital in Dalaguete town where he was declared dead on arrival.

Police were able to arrest the suspect, Ciriaco Romarate delos Santos inside a house just a few meters away from the crime scene. Delos Santos was found with a .45 cal. pistol he used to shoot Abella as well as the 9mm pistol he took from the police chief after the victim fell to the ground.

Prior to the incident, Abella was with his personnel conducting police visibility at the covered court where a boxing match was being held.

The event was part of the advance festivities of the town as it was set to celebrate its fiesta on the 29th and 30th of the month.

Police Officer 2 Wilt Harris Almagro, a member of the police team, said their main attention was inside the covered court due to the number of people watching the event. He saw Abella and Delos Santos talking together with another man.

“Makita pa nako sila kay 15 meters away man lang ko nila unya wala ko kahibalo sa ilang giestoryahan kay banha man kaayo kay daghan mang tao,” Almagro said, adding that both of them were heading outside the court.

Delos Santos was reportedly under the influence of liquor at the time and appeared to have been irked by their argument.

Police said that Abella went to relieve himself nearby when he was allegedly followed by Delos Santos who then put his arm around the victim and shot him several times.

“Nagbuto-buto na, nakita gyud nako unya ang mga tao nag-panic man so di mi maka-return fire kay basin dunay madamay nga civilian,” Almagro said.

The killing was also witnessed by Police Officer 3 Eduardo Santander and Police Officer 2 Howard Maynopas.

The commotion gave Delos Santos the chance to escape, he ran to a house just a few meters away from the crime scene and from there shot it out with policemen.

“Nitago siya sa pa-yag unya namusil namo, dinhi na mi kabalos kay layo na man sa mga tawo,” Almagro said.

Boljoon policemen led by SPO3 Nelson Saquibal also responded to the incident and a standoff ensued after the suspect refused to come out.

The family of Delos Santos and Alcoy Mayor Nicomedes delos Santos also arrived and pleaded with the suspect to surrender.

“Nagsinyagitay na sila… dunay nitawag ‘papa’ nga possible iyang anak o asawa ba kaha, hasta ang mayor tabang na’g hangyo,” Almagro said.

Delos Santos eventually surrendered to the police and was taken to the police station.

Recovered from the scene were three empty .45 cal. shells.

Police have yet to submit both firearms to the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory-7 for ballistics examination.

Geraldine Dosdos, 28, the partner of Abella, was informed by the Alcoy police past midnight about what happened. She arrived at the town at 2 a.m. She said Abella was supposed to go home and fetch her as the victim promised to take her to Alcoy to celebrate the town’s fiesta.

“Iyaha unta kong kuhaon kay schedule man niya mouli ‘ron (Sunday) kay iya  kong kuyugon,”  she said, adding that Abella even promised not to leave her whatever happens.

Dosdos said that Delos Santos should pay for what he has done.

“O amigo tuod sila pero nganong ingon ani-on man niya? Iya diay’ng patyon?” Dosdos said as she wept.

She added that she will be pursuing charges for murder and illegal possession of firearms against Delos Santos.

The suspect has declined to give any comment.

Abella has been the police chief of Alcoy for more than two years. He entered the Philippine Constabulary in 1986 and took lateral entry into the PNP in the 1990s.

His term as police chief in Alcoy ended last August 5 but Mayor Delos Santos asked him for an extension because of the upcoming annual fiesta celebration. Abella even planned to ask for reassignment in Cebu City so he could spend time with Dosdos.

Dosdos and Abella have been together for six years but don’t have any kids.

Delos Santos was also in the Philippine Constabulary but was dismissed from service in 1991 after he went absent without official leave.

Aside from being a friend of Abella, Delos Santos also gave police information about illegal activities in the town.

“Kong naa mi impormasyon siya pa gani mag-feedback kay migo kaayo na sila ni sir nga magkuyog gani na sila ug inom usahay maong kumpiyansa ra pud mi niya,” Almagro said. —/BRP (FREEMAN)