IPIL, ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY, Philippines โ A police officer yielded to authorities Thursday after being implicated in the brazen daylight killing of a fellow officer during an apparent robbery, with closed-circuit television footage emerging as the decisive โsmoking gunโ that prompted his surrender.
The gunmen shot Police Cpl. Armaejo Unab Jornadal, 36, on Wednesday afternoon in Barangay Tikwas, Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur, as he rode home from Pagadian City. According to investigators, two men on a motorcycle overtook the corporal, and the backrider opened fire with a 9mm pistol, striking him multiple times. The assailants then seized the victimโs sling bag โ containing roughly $3,700 in freshly loaned cash โ and his service firearm before fleeing.
Scene of the crime operatives recovered four spent 9mm shell casings at the site. A loan receipt dated the same day from the Armed Forces and Police Savings and Loans Association provided an early clue to the motive: straightforward robbery.
Manhunt
It began as a manhunt that ended remarkably quickly. Less than 24 hours later, Staff Sgt. Archie Bazan of the Margosatubig Municipal Police Station walked into his station and admitted to his role in the killing. Bazan admitted he drove the getaway motorcycle. He surrendered his service firearm and the vehicle used in the ambush.
Bazan identified his alleged accomplice, Cydee Tolentino Labajo, as the shooter. Authorities arrested Labajo at his Margosatubig residence in a follow-up operation at 6 p.m. Thursday, where they recovered Jornadalโs CANIK 9mm pistol.
Zamboanga del Sur police officials said the breakthrough came through relentless intelligence work, forensic analysis, and old-fashioned backtracking of CCTV footage from the area. Capt. Derfjay Maquinta, spokesperson for the Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office, said investigators identified Bazan as a person of interest after the video evidence placed him and the motorcycle at key points along the route. Confronted with mounting proof, Bazan chose to surrender rather than face arrest.
‘Forced to Surrender’
โHe was forced to surrender after learning he was tagged as a person of interest, and all evidence gathered in the investigation pointed to him,โ Maquinta told local media. Bazan reportedly knew the victim had just secured a loan. The two had been together during the paperwork process.
Col. Bonifacio Araรฑas Jr., director of the Zamboanga del Sur police, condemned the killing of one of his own and praised the rapid coordination between investigative, intelligence, and operating units. โThis swift resolution reaffirms the Philippine National Policeโs commitment to pursue justice,โ Araรฑas said. Dumalinao authorities took custody of both suspects for formal charges, expected to include murder and robbery. The police have not yet recovered the stolen cash.
The case has raised uncomfortable questions about internal discipline and trust within provincial police ranks, as one officer stands accused of orchestrating the ambush of another. Philippine authorities have pledged a thorough probe to ensure no broader conspiracy exists.
As of Friday, both suspects remain in custody as the investigation continues.
About The Author
