Ex-cop shot dead

CEBU, Philippines — A former police officer was shot dead Sunday evening in Barangay Cubacub, Mandaue City.

The victim was identified as retired Senior Police Officer 2 Ranilo Quingco Valiente, resident of Purok 6, Mahogany in the same barangay, who suffered four gunshot wounds to the body.

A stray bullet also hit Jason Mayola, 26, resident of Barangay Pagsabungan. Mayola suffered injuries in his right cheek and arm.

Mandaue City Police Office spokesperson Chief Inspector Mercy Villaro said the victims were sitting at the habal-habal terminal when two motorcycle-riding assailants passed by around 9 p.m. The back rider alighted from the motorcycle and shot Valiente several times.

"Nag standby ra sila sa area, around 9 p.m. naabot ang motorcycle riding in tandem unya ninaog ang backrider og gipusil si Valiente," Villaro said.

Villaro said they are looking at personal grudge as possible motive.

"Tanawon sa investigator ang death threats. Tanan anggulo atoa tanawon or kung naa siya ka-kontra," Villaro added.

Police Regional Office-7 director Chief Supt. Debold Sinas said they are checking reports that before Valiente’s retirement from the service, he was among the police officers reassigned outside Central Visayas because of derogatory reports.

“I have to check with the Regional Intelligence Division and with Mandaue City Police Office, imbestigahan lang sa namo, and we will give you feedback,” Sinas said.

PRO-7 spokesperson Reyman Tolentin said that based on records, Valiente was reassigned to Police Regional Office in Cordillera in 2016 before he applied for optional retirement in April this year.

Prior to his reassignment in Cordillera, he was assigned at the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office.

A Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) was already created to look into Valiente’s death.

“Na set up na sa City Director sa MCPO (Senior Superintendent Roberto Alanas) ang SITG, gi-follow-up na nila ang investigation based on the testimonies of the witnesses,” said Sinas.

Sinas reiterated his advice to all retired policemen to careful and report sightings of suspicious people tailing them.

“We keep warning all our people, sa mga retiree nga, kung naa sila maobserbahan nga nagsunod-sunod sa ilaha, i-report sa kauban nga police para ma-aksyonan sila,” Sinas said. (FREEMAN)