In Sikatuna, Bohol: Violence inside police station leaves cop dead

CEBU, Philippines – A police officer was killed while another one had to undergo surgical operation after a violent confrontation that involved three uniformed personnel yesterday in Sikatuna town in Bohol.  

Declared dead on arrival at the Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital was Police Officer 2 Marlon Balbiran, 31, member of the tourist police at a tarsier sanctuary in Corella town.

Balbiran obtained a gunshot to the head courtesy of Police Officer 3 Al-Noel Felicia, 33, of Sikatuna Police Station.

Felicia reportedly came to the aid to his fellow officer at the Sikatuna police, Senior Police Officer 2 Fidel Malig-on, 41, who was reportedly being shot by Balbiran yesterday morning in their station located at the municipal hall compound in Sikatuna.

Investigating Police Officer 3 John Argie Plaza of Sikatuna Police Station told The FREEMAN in a phone interview that past 9 a.m. yesterday, Balbiran came to their station, looking for Malig-on. He was then told that the latter was in the kitchen.

Balbiran went to the kitchen, and when he found Malig-on there, pointed at him his 9mm pistol, saying “Nganong gipakauwawan nimo akong pamilya? (Why did you embarrass my family?)”

Plaza said Balbiran then shot Malig-on three times, hitting him in his stomach.

Upon hearing bursts of gunfire, Felicia ran towards the kitchen to check what had happened. When he saw that Malig-on was lying on the floor wounded, he reportedly told Balbiran to stop.

But Balbiran did not listen to Felicia, said Plaza.

Instead, Balbiran faced Felicia and fired at him several times, but the latter was able to take cover and returned fire at Balbiran hitting him in the head.

At the wake of the violence, doctors pronounced Balbiran dead on arrival while Malig-on was initially brought to Holy Name University Medical Center Inc. but was later referred to GCGMH to undergo a surgical operation for the extraction of the bullets from his stomach.

Felicia, on the other hand, had undergone paraffin test and was advised to report to Camp Dagohoy at the Bohol Police Provincial Office headquarters for an investigation.

Learning of the report, Provincial Director Denis Agustin rushed to the police station to personally inquire about the incident.

Plaza said that based on their investigation, Balbiran used a hollow-point bullet possibly to kill Malig-on.

He added that he could not yet tell what the real motive was, although based on what Balbarin uttered during his confrontation with Malig-on, it appeared as though there must have been a grudge between the two.

Plaza said the two police officers are neighbors in Barangay Oy, Loboc town. As of press time yesterday, Plaza was yet to talk to the families of both Balbiran and Malig-on. —/JMD (FREEMAN)