ILOILO City – The Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 has ordered a thorough investigation into the fatal shooting of an off-duty police captain inside a KTV bar in Barangay Binuntucan, Pontevedra, Capiz, shortly after midnight on July 20.
Regional Director Police Col. Randulf Tuaño identified the victim as Police Captain Rian Fuentes Ampoyos, 48, a member of the 1st Capiz Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) and a resident of Barangay Swa, President Roxas, Capiz.
Tuaño clarified that Ampoyos and two fellow police officers—a police corporal and a police staff sergeant—were not responding to a reported disturbance, contrary to earlier reports.
Instead, he said the officers were at the establishment upon the invitation of the KTV bar owner, who is a friend of one of the policemen, for an early dinner and a discussion on peace and order.
The group reportedly planned to meet at around 4:30 p.m., but their gathering extended into the evening. They were initially at the ground floor before transferring to the second floor, where alcoholic drinks were being served.
At around midnight, a commotion broke out among three customers seated behind the officers’ table.
According to Tuaño, the officers merely stood up to pacify the situation when one of the suspects allegedly drew a firearm and opened fire.
Initial police reports identified the primary suspect only as alias “William,” 38, of Barangay Jolongajog, Pontevedra, who was immediately arrested at the scene.
Authorities recovered from the suspect a caliber .45 pistol believed to have been used in the shooting, with one live round in the chamber and an extra magazine containing five live ammunition.
While earlier reports stated that Ampoyos sustained a gunshot wound to the head, Tuaño said the police captain was shot in the left side of the chest. He was rushed to Bailan District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
Police have also launched a hot pursuit operation against two other individuals reportedly involved in the incident.
Tuaño stressed that all three police officers were off duty when the shooting occurred.
He acknowledged that discussing peace and order concerns with the establishment owner was legitimate but said such matters would have been more appropriate if coordinated through the local police station rather than in a KTV bar.
The PRO-6 chief said the Crime Scene Response Team and the Regional Investigation Unit are conducting a comprehensive investigation, including the review of closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage to establish the sequence of events and determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Tuaño also recommended the administrative relief of the Cuartero Chief of Police under the principle of command responsibility, citing possible lapses in the implementation of Oplan Bakal in the area.
He said investigators will determine whether any operational lapses contributed to the incident as the investigation continues./PN
