Intelligence operatives of various law enforcement agencies and the Bago police are now coordinating efforts to arrest the killer of Senior Police Officer 1 Alan Retolosa.

Retolosa, chief of the Bago PNP Community Police Assistance Center stationed in Brgy.Ma-ao. Bago City , died on Saturday, after he was shot allegedly by Joebert Cabos, a rape suspect linked to the theft of fighting cocks in Murcia , Bacolod and Bago.

Supt. Alex Belonio, Bago police chief, yesterday said Cabos and his companion, Ronald Begonia, will be charged for direct assault with homicide, in connection with the attack and killing of Retolosa.

Police investigations show that Cabos and Begonia were invited to the Ma-ao COMPAC station for questioning by PO1 Kenny Gonito to verify documents of a motorcycle they were riding on.

When Cabos was subjected to a body search by Retolosa, he resisted, drew and fired his .38 caliber revolver three times, hitting the police officer in his genitals.

One of the bullets exited into his intestines, causing Retolosa's death, Belonio added.

Civilian Volunteers Organization member Carmelino Atillaga who came to the rescue of Retolosa, was also injured in the right leg, the police said.

Cabos immediately fled, leaving Begonia who was arrested by the police.

Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, provincial police director, yesterday reminded policemen not to be complacent in dealing with persons they bring in for questioning.

Franco said he received reports that Cabos was implicated in the theft of gamefowls in some central Negros towns and cities.

Police records showed that Cabos was jailed in Bago for almost six years, allegedly for molesting two sisters in 1998. However, he was later freed after cases of rape and attempted rape filed against him in court, were amicably settled, the police said.*GPB

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