The Philippine National Police has created the “Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Nepomuceno” to investigate the killing of a member of the City’s Drug Enforcement Unit, Col. Manuel Placido, Bacolod police director, said Thursday, September 2.
Placido said the SITG will focus its investigation into the killing of SSgt. Joseph Nepomuceno, 37, at Rosario Street in Barangay 38, Bacolod City, on Sunday. Those responsible for his death must answer for the crime, he said.
They are also separately investigating the beheading of Glen Paul Bautista Castillo, 42, whose body was left in the same area where Nepomuceno was killed on Tuesday night, Placido said.
Castillo, who was out on bail, was facing charges for illegal possession of drugs.
Placido said they cannot speculate whether the two killings are related, an investigation is still underway.
There is no need for the public to be alarmed, he said.
Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia, who visited the wake of Nepomuceno in Barangay 14 Thursday afternoon, said he appealed to PNP Chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar. to probe deeper into his killing.
“I asked him to give special attention and go deeper in their investigation and help Bacolod in its campaign against the drug trade,” the mayor said.
The mayor, who executed a snappy salute before Nepomuceno’s casket draped with the Philippine flag, told the policeman’s widow, Janet, that he personally talked to Eleazar, a press release from the Bacolod Public Information Office said.
The widow, who thanked the mayor, called for Justice for Nepomuceno.
The couple has a 3-year-old child.
Leonardia called Nepomuceno an exemplary member of the Bacolod City Police Office, citing him for his honesty, bravery and integrity in the war against illegal drugs.
“I salute him for a job well done. The people of Bacolod are grateful for his service,” the mayor said.
“This is a very sad incident. I came here to express my heartfelt condolences to his family. It is sad for Bacolod because we lost a valuable asset in our fight against illegal drugs,” Leonardia said.
Nepomuceno is an exemplary performer based on the sentiments expressed by his peers, the mayor said.
“He was an industrious, dedicated policeman. He valued honesty and integrity. His sense of duty and commitment to his tasks are admirable. He was even highly regarded by his neighbors and was a homebody when not on duty,” Leonardia said.
Initial investigation indicated that Nepomuceno, who was on board a motorcycle, was responding to a job-related call about an ongoing drug trade activity when he was waylaid by the suspects along Rosario Street.
Placido said that beginning Monday, August 30, the Philippine flag was flown at half-mast at the Bacolod City Police Office in honor of Nepomuceno.
“SSgt Nepomuceno is a very honest cop. He had a simple lifestyle…a man of integrity who was up to the task given him, ” Placido said.
Placido said a posthumous award will certainly be bestowed on Nepomuceno.
Maj. Ramil Sarona, Bacolod Police Station 1 chief, said among the angles they are investigating is whether there is a link between the killing of Nepomuceno and Castillo.
He said witnesses at the house of Castillo in Barangay Cabug said he was abducted at about 8 p.m. Tuesday night by five armed men.
The head of Castillo found at Barangay 2 belonged to the body found at Rosario Street, his sister and live-in partner confirmed, Sarona said.
However, the Scene of the Crime Operatives have yet to issue an official confirmation, as they are still waiting for the autopsy report, Sarona said.
They still have no leads on who killed Nepomuceno and Castillo, he said.*