CAMP PRESIDENT QUIRINO, Ilocos Sur - The Ilocos Sur police has ordered an in-depth investigation into the killing of a policeman and a civilian in front of a videoke bar near the Sta. Lucia public market in barangay Barangobong here last week.

Senior Superintendent Virgilio Fabros, Ilocos Sur police director, said he was saddened by what happened to SPO3 Jeoffrey Palacio, chief investigator of the Sta. Lucia Police on the night of April 17.

Palacio died on the spot with about 20 wounds in different parts of his body inflicted by bullets from an Armalite rifle.

A civilian, identified as Melchor Angala was hit by stray bullets and died on arrival in a local hospital.

Noting conflicting versions on the incident, Fabros ordered investigators to find out what really happened.

An initial police report stated that Palacio was shot while having snacks in the videoke bar.

This was however disputed by Mrs. Ana Palacio, wife of the victim, who said her husband was with a team of policemen who responded to a trouble inside the bar.

She said her husband’s colleagues attested that while they were interrogating a drunk man, the latter slapped the face of a policeman. A hot exchange of words between the policeman and the drunk followed.

The policemen let the drunk go home, but the latter returned soon, already armed.