Cop shot in Samboan has alleged links with crime personalities

Investigators recover several empty bullet casings from the scene where Police Master Sergeant Roy Ryan Cavalida and his family were waylaid by still unidentified gunmen in Barangay Poblacion, Samboan town on Good Friday, April 19, 2019.

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Police are still examining multiple angles to shed light on the ambush attempt of an active police officer on Good Friday, April 19, in Samboan town.

Authorities are also verifying claims that the cop, identified as Police Master Sergeant  Roy Ryan Cavalida, is allegedly a “ninja cop” or police scallawag.

“Alleged pa yun. We received information kasi that he was accused as a ninja cop or rogue cop,” said Police Lieutenant Warlito Toñacao, chief of Samboan Police Station.

“But we cannot conclusively say that this allegation has something to do with the ambush attempt. We’re still looking at multiple angles right now. It could be personal grudge or work related,” he added.

According to Toñacao, Cavalida is reportedly linked with several criminal personalities.

“Allegedly, he has links with some suspects. But as to what extent, we still cannot determine because we still do not have the verification reports,” said Toñacao.

Cavalida and his family were about to go home after attending Mass on Friday in Barangay Poblacion, Samboan town of southwestern Cebu, when a riding-in-tandem gunmen waylaid and peppered their car with bullets past 7 p.m.

Toñacao said they are still determining the identities of the suspects.

Cavalida sustained gunshot wounds on his left leg, and scratches around his left arm and shoulder.

His sister, identified as Nanette Cavalida, also sustained a single gunshot wound around the lower part of her torso.

Several empty M16 and caliber .45 bullets were recovered from the crime scene. / celr