PNP forms task group to probe murder of retired police official

COTABATO CITY––Police authorities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) announced the creation of a special probe team to fast-track the investigation of the murder of retired Colonel Rolen Balquin.

Major Mark Joseph Porras, spokesperson of Cotabato City Police Office, said Brig. Gen. Arthur Cabalona, BARMM police director, approved the creation of the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Balquin.

Colonel Jeffrey Fernandez, BARMM police deputy director for operations, was named SITG supervisor, and Colonel Rommel Javier, city police director, SITG commander.

Balquin, who retired in 2017, was named Cotabato City Public Order and Safety chief and served until he was gunned down last March 19 along Sinsuat Avenue here.

His lone attacker used a caliber .45 pistol.

Barquin’s police escort, Master Sgt. Ariel Gutang, was wounded in the attack at past 9 a.m.

Balquin was declared dead on arrival at a government hospital here.

Police have persons of interest in the murder that stunned city residents since it occurred in broad daylight and during the election period when government law enforcement units are supposed to implement a gun ban strictly.

Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi has condemned the attack and urged residents to help the police identify the attackers.

Brig. Gen. Alexander Tagum, police director of Region 12, where Balquin also served as a police officer, vowed to help in the investigation and bring the perpetrators before the bar of justice.

Cotabato City was originally under PRO-12 administrative and operational control. Now it is under PNP BARMM.

A graduate of Philippine National Police Academy Tagapaglingkod Class of 1987, Balquin, who hails from Negros, served as commandant of cadets at Camp Gen. Mariano N. Castañeda in Silang, Cavite, before his assignment in Mindanao.

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