Drug-linked policewoman killed in ambush
Having served the police for 22 years, Police Officer 1 Avita Sarzuelo, 47, was granted an optional retirement that was to take effect this October.
She didn’t make it to her retirement.
Three unidentified gunmen peppered bullets on Sarzuelo’s black Toyota Yaris while she was on her way to her meat store at the public market in Barangay Poblacion, Tabuelan town at around 5 a.m. yesterday. She was killed instantly.
Before her death, Sarzuelo was assigned at the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit of the Cebu Police Provincial Office, a division that houses police personnel with pending cases, under suspension, or without assignment or on floating status.
Investigation revealed that she was shot 100 meters away from the apartment she was renting in Tabuelan. Authorities recovered from the crime scene empty shells of caliber .45 and M15 bullets, as well as a .45 Gloc that was owned by Sarzuelo, according to her live-in partner.
Police Officer 3 Gilbert Allego, investigator of the case, said there is a possibility the assailants had been tailing on Sarzuelo based on the bullets that entered through the back portion of her vehicle.
“Aside sa mga pinusilan sa left side sa sakyanan kay aduna usab sa likod so naay posibilidad nga human gisundan, gisabayan ni ang biktima,”Allego said over the phone.
After the incident, the three assassins, who were onboard a motorcycle, sped off to the direction of Tuburan town.
Inspector Emmanuel Rabaya, chief of Tabuelan police, said they are looking at all possible motives in the killing, including business and personal grudge.
Rabaya said they did not have any information yet on whether the victim was an illegal drug protector.
But in a text message to The FREEMAN, Chief Superintendent Manuel Abrugena, director of Cebu Provincial Police Office, confirmed that police have received reports tagging Sarzuelo to illegal drugs.
“We are receiving reports that this person is involved in illegal drugs and other illegal activities. Her name was mentioned by drug personalities apprehended by law enforcers,” Abrugena's text message read.
Sarzuelo adds to the list of police officers with alleged drug involvement who were killed by unidentified people. Seven active police officers, including Sarzuelo, have been killed in Cebu since August 2017.
Since June, Sarzuelo is the third active noncommissioned police officer to die at the hands of unidentified men.
Police Officer 3 Jonathan Tilos of Ginatilan Police Station was killed last June 13 in Alegria town while Police Officer 2 Melchizedek Batomalaque was shot dead by two assailants outside his residence last June 19. Both officers were also said to be involved in illegal drugs.
OTHER ANGLES
Meanwhile, reports have also surfaced that Sarzuelo was involved in a mauling incident during the town's fiesta several weeks ago. This is the reason why police are also checking the angle of personal grudge.
“Naa tay ginatan-aw nga anggulo. Last fiesta naa siya'y nakaaway, gikulata daw niya. Nagpa-blotter man diri. Gitan-aw man hinuon nato tanang angle,” said Rabaya.
Abrugena revealed that Sarzuelo had a pending case with the National Police Commission (Napolcom), although he did not elaborate further.
He said they will check if the case had anything to do with the killing.
Senior Inspector Carmechaelo Lesoy, chief of Pilar police, where Sarzuelo was assigned before PHAU, clarified that his recommendation for Sarzuelo to be transferred to PHAU was not due to any violation.
Instead, he said she was moved to the holding and accounting unit so she can have enough time to process her documents for an optional retirement.
“Magsige na man gud ni siya og absent kay nag-process lagi sa iyang retirement maong ako nalang gi-recommend nga adto siya sa PHAU para matarong niya og lakaw,” said Lesoy.
According to Senior Superintendent Virgilio Bayon-on, CPPO spokesperson, Sarzuelo was just waiting for the effectivity of her optional retirement in October. She was already on her 22nd year in PNP service.
Abrugena has directed Tabuelan police to conduct a thorough investigation to identify the suspects and determine the motive of the incident.