Cop’s son shot dead; fratman arrested by cops

CEBU, Philippines - A son of a police official was shot dead allegedly by a member of a local street gang in Sitio Dajo, Barangay Inayawan, Cebu City Sunday evening.

Jayford Romanillos, a resident of Sitio Lumboy, Barangay Inayawan, died after he was reportedly shot by a certain “Amang,” a certain “Adoy,” and another unidentified companion around 7 p.m. that day.

PO1 John Errick Samosa of Cebu City Police Office Homicide Section, who was among those who responded to the crime scene, said Romanillos was found lifeless in a vacant lot.

The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds on the back of his body, right shoulder and right chest that led to his death. The police also recovered a .38 caliber revolver loaded with three live ammunition and an improvised knife at the crime scene.

Samosa said their initial investigation showed that Romanillos was having a conversation with alleged members of the Crips gang at that time and suddenly turned into a heated argument.

 “Amang” reportedly pulled out a gun and shot Romanillos several times.

The suspects immediately fled from the area, evading the arresting police officers.

During a hot pursuit operation, Vince Villareal, who is known as “Amang” in Barangay Inayawan, was arrested around yesterday noon. When the police arrived in the area, Villareal was sleeping in his house. He was identified by his neighbors.

The police subjected Villareal to paraffin test yesterday but he claimed to the police that he did not shoot Romanillos. Villareal is currently detained at the CCPO stockade while the body of Romanillos was brought to Super Jepoy Funeral Homes for autopsy.

PO1 Merlou Laborte of the CCPO Homicide Section said Romanillos is the son of Senior Inspector Samuel Romanillos, former police chief of Compostela Police Station and currently the officer-in-charge of Provincial Tactical Operations Command of the Cebu Provincial Police Office.

Laborte further said the young Romanillos was said to be a member of the Crips gang while Villareal is a member of the Alpha Kappa Rho or Akrho fraternity.  (FREEMAN)