BACOLOD CITY — A policeman in Victorias City, Negros Occidental who was shot to death late Sunday afternoon received a posthumous award for his heroism.
The fatality was identified as Senior Police Officer 2 Antonio Broce, 43.
Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, director of Police Regional Office-Western Visayas, gave the Philippine National Police (PNP) Heroism Medal to Broce’s wife, Julie Ann, during his meeting with the late policeman’s family at the Victorias City police headquarters Monday noon.
The rites were witnessed by Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca; Senior Supt. Rodolfo Castil, police provincial director; and Chief Inspector Eduardo Corpuz, head of Victorias City Police Station.
Bulalacao said he was saddened by the death of Broce.
“The suspect has been arrested and he will be charged,” he added.
Later in the afternoon, the station filed a murder complaint against the suspect, Richard Artagame, before the Victorias City Prosecutor’s Office.
In its Facebook account, the Victorias City Police Station mourned the death of Broce. His colleagues said they salute his strength, courage and heroism in doing his job, which cost his life.
Police report said Broce, who was off-duty that afternoon, was at the village basketball court in Barangay 21 when he heard gunshots around 5:30 p.m. He decided to check on the incident at the relocation site, but on his way to the area, Artagame fired at him, hitting him on the chest and back.
Artagame, 44, also shot Edgar Saludes before he encountered the policeman.
The suspect fired at Saludes, who was collecting bets for Small Town Lottery, without any provocation, the report added.
Around 5:40 p.m., the suspect was arrested by responding policemen who spotted him driving a motorcycle with a caliber .45 tucked in his waist along the road on St. Martin Subdivision.
Bulalacao said the police will investigate the report the suspect is an asset of the Philippine Army.
Artagame has a “mission order” from the military, according to the police. (Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)
