A RETIRED policeman who is a suspect in the shooting of a police official four days ago, was shot dead in Barangay Ajong, Sibulan, Negros Oriental.
The victim was identified as Rodrigo Tanador Soldevillo, 46.
Colonel Julian Entoma, provincial police director said Soldevillo is a suspect in the killing of the San Jose deputy chief of police four days ago.
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, shot him several times and immediately fled the crime scene.
The victim was rushed to the Silliman University Medical Center in neighboring
Dumaguete City but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Investigators recovered eight deformed empty shells and three deformed slugs of cal. 45 pistol at the scene of the crime.
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 Sergeant Roldan Esmajer, 47.
Esmajer was gunned down last Tuesday night, January 28 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.
