Four police officers in Puerto Princesa have been placed in “restrictive custody” following a deadly Good Friday shootout that left three law enforcement personnel dead, officials said, exposing alleged misconduct, intoxication, and multiple lapses in police protocol.
Police Regional Office Mimaropa Director PBGen. Jovencio Badua Jr. said the four officers—SSg. Jonah Balangan, SSg. Michael Juan, SSg. Joseph Ian Carpio, and Cpl. Renato Bendaña—were disarmed, and their service firearms are undergoing ballistic examinations. They are now under restriction at Police Station 2.
“Sa ngayon ay nagpapatuloy ang masinsinang imbestigasyon. Kasabay nito, ang Internal Affairs Service ay nagsasagawa ng moto-proprio investigation bilang karagdagang mekanismo ng independent review,” Badua said during a Monday press conference, pointing oit that an internal and independent review of the incident is underway.
How it started
Badua narrated that the confrontation began when Balangan and Bendaña were “basically drunk at the time” while passing by a wake on their motorcycle at Zone 3, Barangay Irawan, Puerto Princesa City.
“Nag-ugat ito sa isang girian o pagtatalo sa isang lamayan… So itong dalawang pulis na si Balangan at si Bendaña ay nakainom,” he said, explaining that the two initially left the scene but later returned with backup, which escalated the situation into a deadly shootout.
The shooting claimed the lives of SSg. Ryan Cris Cabaña, SSg. Jayson Fernandez, and Corrections Officer 1 Jerson Talon.
Cabaña allegedly fired two shots downward.
“Habang ang dalawa, itong si Cabaña at si Fernandez ay pumunta sa bahay ni CO1 Talon, dahil sinabi ni Balangan na si CO1 Talon ang isa sa bumugbog sa kanila,” Basua stated.
According to Badua, Talon suffered a gunshot wound to the left side of his body, Cabaña to his left collarbone, and Fernandez to his left cheekbone.
Scene-of-crime operatives recovered seven empty 9 mm shells and six magazines.
Badua said the four officers face administrative and possible criminal charges for lapses in protocol and procedure that contributed to the fatal shooting.
“Sa ngayon, they are facing administrative charges sa pagiging lasing nung dalawa, pagresponde na hindi naka-uniform, paggamit ng unmarked vehicle, illegal discharge of firearms,” he said.
He added that criminal charges may follow if investigations prove the officers were directly involved in the shooting.
“At kung mapapatunayan na meron silang kinalaman doon sa pagbaril na naganap sa tatlo ay mafa-file-an sila ng criminal case,” Badua added.
Paraffin tests showed that Cabaña and Talon tested positive for powder burns, indicating they fired their weapons, while Fernandez tested negative.
However, Badua said conclusive findings will depend on the results of ballistic examinations.
“Kasi lahat sila may 9 mm. May Taurus, may Glock, at saka yung EV type. EV type yung baril na pumutok. All are issued firearms sa mga pulis,” he explained.
Who shot Talon?
The regional police director said they cannot yet give “conclusive details” as they are still waiting on the result of the ballistic examination.
Photos of Talon with his hands tied behind his back earlier spread online. This raised public questions if he was the one who shot Cabaña and Fernandez.
Lapses in discipline
Badua stressed that the incident revealed serious lapses in discipline.
Officers were on full alert but failed to follow protocols, including wearing uniforms and using marked police vehicles.
“Kailangan talaga naka-uniform ang ating police… Violating directives and existing protocols. Hindi po kami makakapayag na hindi po sumusunod sa ating polisya… much more, nakakalimot sa mission ng PNP na mag-prevent at control ng crime,” he said.
Talon’s wife demands justice
In a Facebook post, Imelda Talon, wife of the slain corrections officer, said she pleaded with those involved not to shoot her husband, who she said had identified himself as a Bureau of Corrections personnel.
“Alam ng Diyos kung paano ang pagmamakaawa ko sa inyo… ‘wag n’yong barilin ang asawa ko… nagsabi na siya na taga-BuCor siya di tayo talo di kayo nakikinig dahil wala kayo sa matinong pag-iisip… nasa impluwensya kayo ng alak,” she wrote.
She added that her husband was inside their home at the time of the incident.
“Nanunuod lang siya ng TV noon… bakit?” she said.
Authorities are reviewing video footage, witness statements, and forensic evidence as part of a joint investigation with the National Bureau of Investigation to ensure accountability.
