Ex-cop linked to illegal drugs gunned down

A police officer checks the crime scene in Barangay Linaon, Cauayan, Negros Occidental where a former cop was gunned down Friday. (Photo courtesy of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office)

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Police are not discounting the possibility that the killing of a former police officer in Cauayan, Negros Occidental yesterday might be related to the illegal drug trade.

Vincent Decena, 54, was having coffee with three companions when three unidentified persons arrived in the coffee shop at Barangay Linaon and shot the victim from behind, according to Police Major Anthony Grande, town police chief.

Witnesses claimed that the perpetrators fled on board a van.

Police recovered from the scene fired bullets and slugs of .45-caliber ammunition.

“Siya gid ang gin target, and wala siya kapangaman kay gatalikod siya sa entrance sang coffee shop,” Grande said.

Grande said Decena went absent without official leave (Awol) and was later dismissed from the police service.

Decena was also on the drugs watchlist as an alleged street level individual in the town, according to Grande.

He also had a pending case for illegal drugs, but Grande has no idea as to the status of the case.

Despite the victim’s background, Grande said they are exploring other possible angles in the incident.