Police threaten ‘force’ against cop in official’s shooting

SPO1 Arnold Lizada. IPPO FILE PHOTO

ILOILO CITY — Iloilo policemen have launched a massive manhunt against one of their own in the killing of a police official on New Year’s eve.

Senior Supt. Roderick Augustus Alba, officer-in-charge of the Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO) said necessary force would be used against SPO1 Arnold Lizada if he resisted arrest and continued to ignore calls for him to surrender.

“He is considered a fugitive after he failed to surrender after 48 hours and despite numerous attempts to negotiate with him,” Alba told the INQUIRER.

Lizada, 43, allegedly shot dead his superior officer, Insp. Christian Lee Nelmida at the kitchen of the headquarters of the IPPO’s 2nd Maneuver Platoon in Barangay Jibolo in Janiuay town in Iloilo at about 9 p.m. on Dec. 31.

Nelmida, 24, was shot in the chest believed to be from a homemade shotgun. He was declared dead on arrival at the Federico Roman Tirador Sr. Memorial District Hospital, a five-minute ride from the police camp.

Lizada, one of the platoon’s team leaders and a native of Lambunao town in Iloilo, immediately fled with the shotgun, an M-16 rifle and a Glock 9-mm pistol.

Alba said they called on Lizada to surrender through text messages and calls on his mobile phone and through his wife and relatives.

“He has not responded to my calls and text messages,” Alba said.

Trackers teams have been deployed by the IPPO to locate and arrest Lizada.

Investigators are still determining the motive for Nelmida’s killing.

Alba said there were reports that Nelmida scolded two policemen inside the kitchen before Lizada came in and shot his superior officer.

He said they were also looking into the possibility that Lizada had a grudge against Nelmida.

Police are set to file to criminal charges against Lizada on Monday including murder and malversation of government property (pertaining to the government-issued M-16 rifle and Glock 9 mm pistol).

He will also face administrative charges for grave misconduct, among others, according to Alba.

On Monday, the remains of Nelmida will be brought to Camp Francisco U. Sumagaysay Sr., the IPPO headquarters in Sta. Barbara town in Iloilo, where a wake and tribute will be held.

His remains will be brought to his hometown in Capas, Tarlac province.