COLLEAGUES and friends of Police Officer 2 Britches Talapiero of Bacolod City Police Station 5 are mourning his death.
Talapiero was killed by security guard Joey Belenario following an altercation involving the police officer and a civilian at Canonoy Beach Resort in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental last January 6.
Based on the post-mortem examination, Talapiero succumbed to a lone gunshot wound.
His remains lie in state at the family residence in La Carlota City.
Chief Inspector Sherlock Gabana, head of Police Station 5, said they knew Talapiero as a humble, industrious, and trustworthy person.
“He always followed my directives,” he added.
Gabana said Talapiero, who was assigned at the station for more than two years, was a reliable police officer because he would always respond to calls for assistance.
“He does not have enemies because he is known as a helpful police officer in the community,” the station chief said.
Talapiero’s friends in the police service also expressed their sadness over his death through messages posted on Facebook.
The flags of the Bacolod City Police Office, and Police Station 5 in Barangay Granada, were flown at half-mast.
Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil Jr., director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, said that murder charges were already filed against Belenario before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Bacolod City yesterday afternoon.
However, Belenario availed his right for a preliminary investigation, thus he was given 10 days to submit his counter-affidavit as well as witnesses.