CRIME SCENE. Policemen check the crime scene where the retired policeman was shot to death on Saturday morning (Feb. 1, 2020) at Brgy. Ajong, Sibulan, Negros Oriental. The victim, Rodrigo Tanador Soldevillo, was also implicated in the murder of San Jose, Negros Oriental deputy police chief Executive Master Sgt. Roldan Esmajer, who was killed just four days ago. (Photo courtesy of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office)
DUMAGUETE CITY -- A retired policeman was shot to death by a gunman, with four other companions on board three motorcycles, at Brgy. Ajong in Sibulan, Negros Oriental on Saturday morning.
The victim, Rodrigo Tanador Soldevillo, 46, was also a suspect in the killing of the San Jose deputy chief of police four days ago, provincial police director Col. Julian Entoma said.
Initial police investigation showed that at 9:50 a.m., Soldevillo and two companions were sitting on a bench in front of his “sari-sari” store when five unidentified suspects riding on three motorcycles arrived.
One of the suspects approached the retired policeman and shot him several times. The suspects immediately fled the crime scene.
The victim was rushed to the Silliman University Medical Center by the Sibulan municipal ambulance but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police recovered from the crime scene eight empty shells and three deformed slugs of cal. 45 pistol.
Entoma said Soldevillo was supposed to be the subject of a search warrant concerning the death of San Jose deputy chief of police, Police Executive Master Sgt. Roldan Esmajer, 47.
Esmajer was gunned down last Tuesday night on the national highway in San Jose while on his way to the police station.
Entoma said police investigation showed a possible personal grudge between Esmajer and Soldevillo, allegedly over “dishonest” practice involving fighting cocks.
He said Soldevillo had “many enemies” in cockfighting.
As to Soldevillo’s companions at the time of the shooting, Entoma said they are hoping the two would cooperate and help the police identify the suspects. (PNA)
