BACOLOD City — The Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has relieved the Negros Oriental provincial police director following the fatal shooting incidents that occurred on January 9 in Sibulan, Negros Oriental.
The incident resulted in the deaths of civilian Sheila Mae Denauanao, Sibulan Municipal Police Station (MPS) commander Capt. Jose Edrohil Cimafranca, Senior Master Sgt. Tristan Joseph Chua, and Patrolman Rey Albert Temblor.
Authorities identified the suspect as Staff Sgt. Bonifacio Saycon Jr., a member of the Sibulan MPS, who is now detained at the police station.
In a statement issued on January 12, PRO-NIR confirmed that Police Col. Criscent E. Tiguelo, director of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO), has been administratively relieved from his post effective immediately and reassigned to the Regional Personnel Holding and Administrative Unit of PRO-NIR.
PRO-NIR clarified that the relief is administrative in nature and was implemented in line with the principle of command responsibility and established Philippine National Police (PNP) procedures. The move aims to protect public trust and ensure that ongoing investigations and administrative processes proceed without interference or perceived influence.
Meanwhile, Police Col. Lito E. Patay, Deputy Regional Director for Operations (DRDO), has been designated as officer-in-charge of the NOrPPO, effective the same date. His designation is intended to ensure continuity of command, operational stability, and close supervision of police units in the province while the administrative process is ongoing.
PRO-NIR assured the public that police operations and services in Negros Oriental remain uninterrupted, adding that the regional command remains committed to professionalism, accountability, transparency, and the rule of law.
Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas C. Ibay, regional director of PRO-NIR, reminded all PNP personnel to strictly observe Section 3.1 of the PNP Ethical Doctrine, which mandates the highest standards of morality, decency, and professionalism among police officers.
Section 3.1 states that PNP members must set good examples at all times and shall not engage in, patronize, or tolerate houses of ill repute, illegal gambling dens, or other establishments devoted to vice within their areas of responsibility, unless in the performance of official duties.
Ibay emphasized that police officers are held to higher ethical standards because of the authority and trust vested in them by the public, stressing that any conduct — whether on or off duty — that compromises integrity, discipline, and professionalism will not be tolerated.
He further underscored that ethical accountability goes hand in hand with legal accountability, noting that strict adherence to the PNP Ethical Doctrine is essential in preventing incidents that endanger lives and erode public trust.
PRO-NIR reiterated its commitment to ethical policing, accountability, and the rule of law, and directed all unit commanders to ensure that these standards are clearly communicated and strictly enforced within their respective areas of responsibility./PN
