SANTA ROSA, Nueva Ecija – Investigation on the killing of the police chief of San Miguel, Bulacan will also cover the failure of his men to fire back at his assailants, PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr said.
“Apparently, the attempt of the chief of police ay para pigilin ang mga perpetrators, unfortunately sila yung naunang nagpaputok ng sunod-sunod,” Azurin said of the death of Lt. Col. Marlon Serna.
“Kaya that is also part of the investigation that the PNP will be conducting dahil nga bakit hindi nakapagpaputok,” the PNP chief said when asked on why Serna’s team apparently failed to retaliate
Some sources claimed that Serna could have been shot in short range since he reportedly died due to bullet wound in the head.
Subsequently, Azurin said the lawmen who were with Serna during the hot pursuit operation will also be investigated.
“Definitely. Sabi nga natin, kailangang malaman natin ang buod ng pangyayari para sa ganun ay makita po natin lahat ng anggulo ng naganap na it cost the life of our chief of police,” he said.
Azurin attended the wake of Serna and talked to his family in Sitio Pitong Gatang, Barangay Soledad here Wednesday afternoon.
He offered scholarship support to Serna’s two children and advised the wife, Annie Rose, to be strong and take care of herself for the kids.
He also awarded a medal of gallantry to Serna.
Serna, 39, was shot dead by a suspected robber Saturday night.
A total reward of P1.7 million was put up by different persons and agencies for information that will lead to the arrest of the suspects.
Central Luzon police director Brig. Gen. Jose Hidalgo Jr., said P500,000 of the reward money will come from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, P300,000 from Police Regional Office 3, and P200,000 from the PNP.
The PNP reported that Serna was responding to an alleged robbery case in Barangay San Juan, San Miguel, Bulacan at around 9:30 p.m.
During the hot pursuit operation, however, he was reportedly shot by one of the two motorcycle-riding suspects.
He died while undergoing treatment at Emanuel Hospital.
