A shocking shooting rampage in Negros Oriental has left four people dead, including a police station chief, allegedly at the hands of a fellow officer. The Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office has formed a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) to lead a deeper probe into the bloody incident that unfolded on the night of Friday, January 9, 2026.
Timeline of a Bloody Night
The violence began at around 9:35 PM inside the SAB Resto Bar in Barangay Tubtubon, Sibulan. According to Police Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay, Regional Director of the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), the suspect, Police Staff Sergeant Bonifacio Saycon from the Tanjay City Police Station, first shot and killed a female bar worker identified as Sheila Mae Denauanao.
After the initial shooting, Saycon exited the establishment. He was followed by the chief of the Sibulan Municipal Police Station, Police Captain Jose Edrohil Cimafranca, and two of his subordinates: Police Senior Master Sergeant Tristan Joseph Chua and Patrolman Rey Albert Temblor. A conversation ensued between the suspect and Captain Cimafranca outside the bar.
Disarmed, Then a Deadly Ambush
General Ibay stated that during the exchange, the station chief managed to disarm Saycon of his .45 caliber pistol, the same weapon used in the bar shooting. Saycon was then placed in the back seat of Cimafranca's Mitsubishi Lancer, which was intended to transport him to the police station. Captain Cimafranca was driving, with the suspect and another officer in the back.
Tragically, Saycon allegedly opened fire inside the vehicle, killing Captain Cimafranca and his two colleagues. This raised immediate questions for investigators, as Saycon had just been disarmed.
Two Weapons and a Motive Mystery
The discovery of evidence pointed to a second firearm. Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) recovered spent shells from a .45 caliber pistol inside the bar. However, additional spent shells from a 9mm pistol were found inside Captain Cimafranca's car, indicating the suspect possessed and used a second weapon.
Authorities are still grappling with the motive. "That is really part of our investigation and as of this time we cannot yet answer," General Ibay said. He added that the suspect has not been cooperative, especially when questioned about why he shot the woman and his three fellow officers.
Further complicating the case, it was revealed that six policemen, all from the Sibulan Municipal Police Station, were drinking inside the bar, a clear violation of PNP policy which prohibits entering drinking establishments unless for an intelligence operation. The two surviving officers have been disarmed and placed on camp restriction pending the investigation.
Accountability and Justice Promised
General Ibay assured the public that the PRO-NIR will not cover up the incident. He vowed to deliver justice for the victims' families and ensure the suspect faces the full force of the law. Multiple murder charges are being prepared against Police Staff Sergeant Bonifacio Saycon by the Negros Oriental police.
The formation of the SITG underscores the gravity of the case, which has exposed serious breaches of discipline and resulted in an unprecedented loss of life within the local police force.
