San Miguel, Bulacan police chief shot dead

The chief of police of San Miguel, Bulacan was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in a police operation conducted on Saturday night.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Marlon Serna suffered from a gunshot wound to the head after two alleged robbers fired shots in San Ildefonso, Bulacan, according to a report by Luisito Santos on Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday.

Bulacan Police provincial director Police Colonel Relly Arnedo said the San Miguel Police received a report at around 9 p.m. about a robbery incident in Barangay San Juan.

San Miguel Police then initiated a follow-up operation and investigation headed by Serna to identify and arrest the suspects.

The two suspects onboard a motorcycle were spotted in Buhol na Mangga, San Ildefonso, where they allegedly opened fire and shot Serna in the head.

“Moving pa ‘yung sasakyan, lumabas na si hepe, eh nagkasalubungan sila [at] ‘yung suspect at dun nga, naunang bumaril,” Arnedo said in a separate report by Dano Tingcungco on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday.

(The vehicle was still moving when the chief came out, and they ran into each other. That is where the suspect fired the first shot.)

The police chief was brought to Emmanuel Hospital, but died.

Aside from Serna, a 17-year-old male was also wounded in the incident.

Hot pursuit operations are ongoing against the suspects who are still at large. Police said they fled towards Barangay Akle in San Ildefonso, Bulacan.

Central Luzon Police Director Police Brigadier General Jose Hidalgo Jr. said that they will exert all efforts to ensure swift justice for the slain cop.

“This is unfortunate news for us as one of our members was killed in line with our diligent efforts to arrest lawless elements and while nothing can make up for his loss, along with our deepest condolences, we assure his bereaved family that they will get the necessary benefits that is due for them,” he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, a P1.2-million reward was put up on Sunday by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Bulacan local government for anyone who could provide information on the perpetrators behind the killing of Serna.

Police Regional Office 3 Director Police Brigadier General Jose Hidalgo Jr. said at least P300,000 of this amount would be coming from their office, P500,000 from DILG, and P200,000 from PNP.

Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando, meanwhile, offered a P200,000 reward. — with Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/KG/BM, GMA Integrated News