By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – A police officer assigned to snoop on wanted persons was gunned down by an unidentified man in Barangay Patun-an, Calatrava, Negros Occidental Saturday night.
The victim was identified as Staff Sergeant John Daniel Gotera, 37, of Barangay Buluangan, San Carlos City, who was assigned to Toboso Municipal Police Station.
According to Major Roberto Indiape Jr., Toboso police chief, Gotera was walking when he was reportedly tailed by the gunman and shot at close range.
Gotera suffered two gunshot wounds in the head and was declared dead on arrival at a hospital, Indiape said.
Indiape said the gunman then fled on board a pick-up truck that was waiting near the area.
Police recovered from the scene a .45-caliber ammunition shell.
Indiape said Gotera was probably monitored by the perpetrators and was cornered that night.
Indiape said they are eyeing personal and work-related as possible motives in the killing.
Meanwhile, Captain Kenneth Paul Magan, chief of Toboso Municipal Police Station, said that Gotera is a big loss to the town police force.
Magan said Gotera was tasked to monitor wanted persons since he was knowledgeable of the area as he was also previously assigned to Calatrava town.
Magan said the victim transferred to Toboso police station in 2019 where he was also assigned as one of the investigators.
“Kadako gid sang impact sa station sang natabo. I know him na dedicated sa work and ga comply gid sa mga tasks. This is unfortunate,” Magan said.
Magan said Gotera had shared to his family that he had been receiving threats related to his work.
“Siguro dugay na man na may threats daw siya according to his sibling,” he added.
Magan said Gotera had not shared anything to him prior to the incident that could help them have a lead in the investigation.
He said they are also conducting a separate investigation, and working out any information or witnesses with the Calatrava Municipal Police Station.
