Bohol police have lead on killers of Cebu-based cop

CEBU, Philippines - Bohol Provincial Police Office already has a lead on the identity of the suspects who robbed and shot dead a Cebu-based policeman last Christmas Eve in Trinidad town, Bohol.

BPPO director Senior Superintendent Dennis Agustin said they are eyeing two suspects in the killing of Police Officer 1 John Bryan Bazar, but cannot divulge their identities yet pending investigation.

“Hopefully, makukuha na natin siguro sila this month,” stated Agustin.

Bazar, 26, who was assigned at Parian Police Station in Cebu City, died after sustaining a gunshot wound to the right portion of his chest while his companion, PO1 Maryjane Bebiro, was injured after two men robbed them during Christmas Eve last year. Bebiro is assigned at the Regional Public Safety Battalion-7 detachment in Alicia town, Bohol.

Agustin said the suspects may be either local boys or may have come from other provinces. He said they are now trying to determine their whereabouts.

“Ang mga suspek nandyan lang sa tabi-tabi pero hindi pa tayo siguro kung nandoon pa talaga sa Bohol,” he said.

Agustin said that for now, the “special” investigation into the case is still ongoing.

He admitted there were only few witnesses in the incident that made it difficult for them to resolve the case immediately.

The police are just looking at robbery as the motive behind the killing based on the investigation. A charge for robbery with homicide case will be filed against the two suspects.

Bazar and Bebiro were reportedly riding a motorcycle from Ubay and were headed towards Trinidad town when another motorcycle drove alongside them at around 10 p.m. on December 24.

The two men, who did not bother concealing their faces, declared a holdup and kicked the motorcycle of the police officers.

Based on Bebiro’s testimonies, she heard gunshots before the two robbers approached her and took her bag that contained her police identification card, ATM cards, and wallet with P2,000 cash.  (FREEMAN)