Cop killer resists arrest, shot dead by police in Talisay City

One of the suspects behind the death of a police officer was killed in an armed confrontation with police in Purok 2, Barangay Tapul in Talisay City on Wednesday, December 13, 2023. | Contributed photo via Paul Lauro and Futch Anthony Inso

CEBU CITY, Philippine — One of the two men being hunted by police for allegedly murdering a police officer during a buy-bust operation was killed in an armed confrontation on early Wednesday morning, December 13, 2023.

The suspect was identified as 25-year-old Jenecy Rafols alias “Atong,” a resident of Sitio Colo, Barangay Inayawan, Cebu City.

READ: Police officer, disguised as poseur buyer, killed during buy-bust in Cebu City

Rafols was accused of being one of the men involved in the killing of Police Corporal Ryan Languido Baculi.

He was also described by police as the Most Wanted Person in Central Visayas.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Ace Pelare, Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) spokesperson, said that the operation against Rafols was conducted at around 6:15 a.m. in Purok 2 Campo, Barangay Tapul, Talisay City.

READ: Manhunt for cop killers will not stop until culprits are behind bars – Police

Pelare said that after receiving reports from concerned citizens and through the use of technology, they located Rafols who was hiding in a friend’s house in Talisay.

Rafols reportedly arrived in the barangay on Friday, December 8 and had been staying there since.

His girlfriend also travelled from Negros Oriental to stay with the Rafols, who was hiding in his friend’s home.

READ: Charges filed against policeman’s killers and two accomplices

Investigation showed that Rafols even engaged in a pot session before the arrival of the tracker team to serve the warrant of arrest against him.

The tracker team was composed of the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO), Regional Special Operations Group 7, Talisay City Police, and the first Provincial Mobile Force Company.

According to Pelare, the suspect showed no signs of wanting to surrender and instead pulled out a .45 caliber pistol.

READ: P50k reward offered for information on Baculi’s killers

Rafols then fired shots at police when they approached him and hit Police Corporal Rodger Louell Montejo on his shoulder.

The officers fired back at Rafols which resulted to his death.

Montejo was rushed to the nearest hospital for medical treatment. As of this writing, he is now in a stable condition, said Pelare.

The PRO-7 spokesperson also said that the police made sure that no others persons would be involved before the shootout took place.

READ: Wanted cop killer nabbed in Cavite

However, they arrested Rafols’ girlfriend and friend who owned the house where they were staying in.

Pelare said that the two would likely be facing a charge of obstruction of justice.

He said that a deeper investigation would be conducted to determine whether the two had also something to do with Rafol’s resisting the policemen serving the warrant.

Pelare said that this accomplishment would show the result of their aggressive operation to arrest Baculi’s killers.

READ: Manhunt on for suspects behind killing of police officer in Cebu City

“Sa nahitabo nga pagkapatay ni Rafols, atong naghatagan og hustisya ang heroism sa atong police nga si Police Corporal Ryan Baculi,” he said.

(With what happened in the death of Rafols, we gave justice to the heroism of our policeman who is Police Corporal Ryan Baculi.)

“Although dili na nato mabalik iyang kinabuhi, ang atong regional director Police Brigadier General Anthony Aberin nipromise nga madakpan ang maong suspect ug karon, among ipresentar kining maong resulta sa operation nga gihimo sa Police Regional Office,” said Pelare.

(Although we cannot bring him back alive, our Regional Director, Police Brigadier General Anthony Aberin, promised that the suspect will be arrested and now, we present to you the result of the operation that the Regional Police Office conducted.)

READ: Manhunt for cop killers will not stop until culprits are behind bars – Police

Pelare said that this was an indication that police in the region would not stop until criminals would be held responsible and brought to jail.

He also expressed his gratitude for the concerned citizens who helped them locate Rafols.

Meanwhile, the manhunt against another suspect, Ramil Salazar, continues.

Pelare said that they were optimistic that Salazar would soon be caught and made to face the consequences of his crime.

It can be recalled that Rafols and Salazar were identified as the suspects responsible for shooting Baculi to death during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Kinasang-an.

READ: Suspect in Pampanga cops’ slay killed in shootout, 3 others arrested

The buy-bust on November 15, 2023 turned into an armed confrontation after the two men noticed the presence of police and opened fire at the policeman disguised poseur buyer.

Immediately after, a manhunt operation was launched by authorities to catch the two suspects in the death of a multi-awarded police officer.

For the responding police officers who neutralized Rafols, Pelare said that they would be receiving the appropriate recognition for their diligent work in the pursuit of justice for their fellow police officer.