Cop cleared in shooting incident

A POLICEMAN who shot a fisherman was cleared of administrative liabilities after his action was determined as justifiable, Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Director Ricardo De la Paz said Wednesday.

The investigation conducted by Investigation and Detective Management Branch led by Police Senior Inspector Ulysses Ortiz showed Police Officer 1 Romar Paul Salarda’s action towards Glenn Mark Sitias of Purok Mabinuligon, Barangay Sum-ag was reasonable and justifiable.

Sitias is presently confined at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) after he sustained gunshot wound in his right thigh when shot by Salarda during follow-up operation at Barangay Sum-ag last Sunday.

Investigation showed at 2:50 p.m. Sunday, Station 9 led by Police Chief Inspector Placido Gentoleo received a report from Armando Caluscusan, a barangay tanod, informing them of the suspect creating alarm and scandal in the said barangay had an unidentified firearm.

When Police Officer 3 Glenn Catulay, Police Officer 3 Ronelio Naciongayo and Salarda responded in the area, they met Gilbert Morillo who told them that he was shot by the suspect twice while he was carrying his child but fortunately they were not hit.
De la Paz said in follow-up operation, Sitias tried to hide in the garbage disposal area and was asked to surrender but Sitias shot the responding police officers with an improvised firearm.

Salarda returned fire against the suspect, hitting him in his thigh to subdue him.

De la Paz added the paraffin test also showed Sitias is positive of gun powder nitrates. (Merlinda A. Pedrosa)