Sinas to cops: Be careful all the time

The top official of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) has reminded all police officers not to be complacent even during their off-duty hours.

The reminder came after the killing of PO3 Alcistes Roxas, 40, who was stabbed to death by his neighbor following an altercation in Sitio Kulo, Barangay Pajac in Lapu-Lapu City on Sunday.

“They should be very prepared. Basta naay masita dad-on dayon nalang sa (When they reprimand someone, they should bring them directly to the) police station,” said PRO-7 director Chief Supt. Debold Sinas in a press conference on Monday.

Sinas said that policemen should always be prepared especially when they reprimand someone who they think violated the law.

Roxas, a member of the Aviation Security Unit (AVSEU) of the Mactan Cebu International Airport, was killed by two men following an altercation in Sitio Kulo.

According to Chief Inspector Wayne Magbanua of Station 2 of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LCPO), Roxas reportedly scolded a certain Angelito Malinao for engaging in illegal drug use.

Malinao reportedly went home and returned with his father, Domingo Lumungsod Jr., to confront Roxas.

A heated argument followed between Lumungsod and Roxas, which escalated into a fistfight.

Malinao then took out a knife and stabbed Roxas in different parts of his body resulting to his untimely death.

Lapu-Lapu City Police Chief Senior Supt. Limuel Obon said Roxas was only doing his job in warning Malinao about his illegal acts.

“Gibadlong siya (Malinao) sa kapulisan kay kahibaw man siya nga nagpuyo diha. You have to report it to the police or kinahanglan badlongon nimo diha aron dili ka ma-reported. Wala siya kapangandam kay gitabangan siya sa amahan katong disgrasya,” Obon said.

(Malinao was warned by Roxas who knew of his illegal activities being a resident of the area. You need to warn scalawags or report them to law enforcers otherwise it’s you who will be reported. Roxas was not able to defend himself that time because father and son ganged up on him)

When asked if the incident was connected to the killing of seven armed men in a shootout with the police in the same barangay last Sept 26., Obon said that is unlikely.

He said that the remaining members of the notorious group have fled Barangay Pajac due to the heightened police visibility in the area.

Meanwhile, the suspects in the killing of Roxas already surrendered to the police and are currently detained while waiting for charges to be filed against them.

Magbanua said father and son will be charged with murder.