Cop shot dead

A police officer was shot dead while his companion was hurt when unidentified men ambushed them inside his car in Barangay Linao-Lipata, Minglanilla on Tuesday afternoon.

PO2 Romeo Bolaño, 49, a resident of Deca Homes 3 in Barangay Lawaan, Talisay City, sustained at least six gunshot wounds in his chest, which led to his death.

His companion, Clifford Zamora, 42, sustained a gunshot wound in his left leg.

PO3 Nikki Carlo Plarisan of the Minglanilla Police Station said that Bolaño was in his car with Zamora and had parked along the national highway at 1:45 p.m.

A green sports utility vehicle suddenly stopped near the driver’s side of the red car, where Bolaño sat.

Witnesses heard several gunbursts coming from Bolaño’s car just before the green SUV fled toward Talisay City.

Chief Insp. Verniño Noserale, acting Minglanilla police station chief, told reporters that witnesses failed to identify the assailants or get the plate number of the SUV.

They have yet to determine what type of firearm was used to kill Bolaño as no empty gun shells were found at the crime scene.

Noserale said they are looking at different angles including Bolaño’s former job as an anti-illegal drug operative in the City of Naga a few years back.

Noserale said that two years ago, Bolaño was reassigned at the Cordillera Administrative Region.

He has yet to determine if Bolaño’s presence in Cebu was official or if he was on leave.