Police Staff Sergeant Archie Bazan, assigned in Margosatubig town, voluntarily surrendered on July 2, 2026, at the Margosatubig Municipal Police Station, admitting his involvement in the killing of a fellow policeman in Zamboanga del Sur. Police Colonel Bonifacio Arañas, Zamboanga del Sur police director, identified Bazan as the suspect who served as the driver of the motorcycle used in the crime.
Details of the Incident
The victim, Police Corporal Armaejo Jornadal, 36, was shot dead on July 1, 2026, in Tikwas village, Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur. Jornadal, a resident of Kalubi village, San Miguel, Zamboanga del Sur, was a member of the 2nd Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company. He was driving a motorcycle home when two motorcycle-riding men tailed him and repeatedly shot him.
According to Police Captain Derfjay Maquinta, Zamboanga del Sur police information officer, Bazan surrendered after learning he was tagged as a person of interest and that evidence, including CCTV footage, pointed to him. Bazan identified his companion as Cydee Tolentino Labajo, who allegedly shot Jornadal using his issued service firearm. Bazan also turned over his issued service firearm and the motorcycle used in the incident.
Arrest of the Cohort
Labajo was arrested in a follow-up operation around 6 p.m. on July 2, 2026, at his residence in Poblacion village, Margosatubig, Zamboanga del Sur. During the incident, the suspects took Jornadal's sling bag and service firearm and fled toward Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur.
Authorities discovered that Jornadal had just processed a cash loan with the Armed Forces and Police Savings and Loans Association Inc., based on a receipt found in his motorcycle compartment. Maquinta said Bazan knew Jornadal had applied for a loan since they were together during the processing of papers. The victim's firearm was recovered, but the PHP 200,000 loaned to Jornadal was not found.
Legal Proceedings
Maquinta confirmed that appropriate criminal charges will be filed against both suspects. The voluntary statement of Bazan was recorded in the police blotter and duly signed by the suspect, according to Arañas.
