Local News: 2 Shot By Cop, 1 Killed; 4 Probed in Gas Station Shooting

One died while another member of the prominent Ealdama family was wounded when a policeman who is a member of the Provincial Public Safety Battalion, fired at them during an altercation in front of the convenience store and a gasoline station in front of the Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) in Sitio Camingawan, Brgy. Estefania in Bacolod City.

Four members of the Negros Occidental Provincial Public Safety Company (NOPPSC) are now under investigation for their alleged involvement in the shooting to death of a widower and wounding the victim’s son, about 11:30PM Saturday, at a gas station near Camp Alfredo Montelibano in Bacolod City.

PCInsp. Rico S. Santotome Jr., police community relations officer of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) said the incident took place at a mini-mart of the said gas station located a few meters from the police provincial headquarters.

The four police officers under investigation are; PO2s Mauro Taleon and Eric Mongcal, PO1s Gary Sarap and Adrian Decendario.

They were reportedly involved in the shooting to death of Jonel Ealdama, 49, widower, of Camingawan, Brgy. Estefania who later succumbed to a fatal gunshot wound in the body and was pronounced dead by the attending physician at the Riverside Medical Center. Also wounded during the shooting was Ealdama’s 16-year old son, Karl who was rushed to Bacolod Doctor’s Hospital for medical treatment.

PSSupt. Allan Guisihan, NOPPO director ordered PSupt. Armando Tubongbanua, NOPSC commander to submit the four policemen to Police Station 4 for questioning and to turn-over their firearms for ballistic examination.

Reports also said, that one of the victim’s relatives positively identified PO2 Taleon as the gunman who shot their kins.

Investigators are conducting follow-up probe at the crime scene, questioning employees and reviewing the CCTV footage from a nearby mini-mart for the case’ immediate resolution; furthermore, they are also determining the participation of the other 3 police officers who were at the scene along with Taleon.

Santotome explained that once probable cause is determined that the four police officers were involved in the shooting of Ealdama and his son, criminal and administrative charges will be filed against them that may lead to their dismissal from the Philippine National Police (PNP).*

In an interview with several media outlets, Chief Insp. Adonis Rosales of the Police Precinct Four, said the Ealdama Brothers and a nephew had parked near the gasoline station, and while there had argued noisily with one another.

Rosales said PO1 Mauro Taleon who was then at the gasoline station which lies near a convenience store, confronted the Ealdamas namely Junel, 49, a widower, his brother, Joel and Joel’s son, Carl, a teenager.

However, the Ealdamas who had just come from a party in Silay City chided Taleon and said he was overacting and since they were just discussing among themselves, should not interfere in a purely family disagreement. Piqued, Taleon Drew his gun, of still unknown caliber and pointed it at Carl. It however, went off hitting the boy in the hand and exiting to his stomach. Seeing his son shot, Joel Ealdama came to the aid of his son but Taleon also shot him several times, with his gun. An hour later, Joel died in the Doctor’s Hospital where he was brought by an ambulance.

Taleon then proceeded to the NOPPO headquarters where his office is located, too.

A highly-reliable source said, Chief Supt. Ifor Magbanua, a Bacoleño who is now based in Manila, head of the PNPs Investigation Unit, the Internal Affairs, ordered the disarming of Taleon and his being confined to quarters. Magbanua was informed by a friend what had happened. Former PNP Provincial Chief Sr. Supt. Manuel Felix also commented that Taleon must immediately be placed under arrest.
Felix is now connected with the regional PNP Command in Region VI, Iloilo City.

A source said, the Ealdamas are related to former BIR official, Joey Ealdama.

Police officials could not be connected yet for comment on the case of the shooting incident.*