Felix orders capture of auxiliary cop in shooting rampage
BACOLOD CITY -- Negros Occidental Police Director Senior Supt. Manuel Felix has issued a standing order to his men to arrest the member of the Police Auxilliary Unit of Barangay Alimango, Escalante City who went on a shooting rampage last Sunday, killing three civilians and wounding two others.
Felix said the suspect identified as Diolito Cabanyog, 26, a resident of Barangay Pinapugasan in Escalante City, is considered armed and dangerous.
Killed in the shooting were Rogelio Mapa, 26, Cyrus Escubilla, 17, Roy Arnesto, 17, all residents of the said place. Anthony Aberio, 40, port collector and resident of Barangay Old Poblacion and Edward Anciano, a PAU member were wounded.
Mapa and Escubilla were pronounced dead-on-arrival by attending physicians while Arnesto expired at the Teresa Jalandoni Memorial Hospital in Silay City.
Police investigation revealed that Cabanyog, who was under the influence of intoxicating liquor, had a spat with his fellow PAU member Anciano that led to a grappling incident outside their police outpost in the area.
Mapa went out from his house to pacify the two but he was shot by the suspect and when he tried to escape and fell, Cabanyog finished him on his head.
Right after the incident the suspect fled away bringing along with him one M16 rifle but when he was inside the sugarcane field, he noticed two persons walking, namely, Escubilla and Arnesto and without any reasons, Cabanyog strafed them.
Chief Insp. Santiago Rapiz of Escalante PNP said they recovered 11 empty shells of the said firearm.
He clarified that PAU members are not allowed to hold police rifles but during that time, regular PNP personnel conducted police operations reason why no police personnel were present in the outpost and the suspect was able to enter their armory.