By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
WHO KILLED Police Staff Sergeant (PSSgt) Lernie Alacha?
This question plagues the controversial death of the 44-year-old officer inside his home at Purok Eba in Barangay Andres Bonifacio, Sagay City, Negros Occidental on April 27.
According to the blotter entry from the Sagay Component City Police Station (SCCPS), Alacha was killed by a single bullet from his own service firearm, a Glock 17 pistol, which pierced his neck, causing instant death.
The triggering incident, according to SCCPS investigator PSSgt. Elmar Edaño, was an unexpected scuffle between Alacha and his live-in partner, Iren Dayanan. The couple’s conflict originated from the TikTok account of Dayanan, which Alacha discovered was inundated with male followers.
As claimed in the blotter entry, the couple’s scuffle prompted their two children to run outside their room. Subsequently, the blotter report stated, a seven-year-old son of the couple retrieved his father’s gun, pointed the gun at his father, and then — there was a bang!
General Jack Wanky, Western Visayas police director, labeled this version of the incident “next to impossible.” He instructed both Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office director Colonel Rainerio de Chavez and SCCPS chief Lieutenant Colonel John Mocyat to investigate further.
As a result, all members of the Alacha family underwent paraffin tests, and the victim’s body was subjected to paraffin, ballistic tests, and an autopsy.
On May 4, the results of the paraffin tests were revealed, showing all members of the Alacha family, especially the seven-year-old boy, tested negative for ammonium nitrate powder.
Lieutenant Judesses Catalogo, spokesperson for the NOCCPO, said the next phase of the investigation would be more in-depth and expanded beyond the Alacha residence.
The intrigue deepens. The root cause was jealousy. Was there an “outsider” at the Alacha residence at the time of the shooting?
De Chavez assured the public that the ongoing investigation would be thorough and impartial. NOCPPO will explore every aspect concerning Alacha’s death.
The challenge is formidable, but De Chavez is committed to finding a resolution. “It’s a firm resolve,” he noted.
When will we see the “climax”?
Catalogo mentioned that they are still awaiting two crucial reports — the autopsy and the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) reports, both of which are essential to their comprehensive investigation.
The resolution of Alacha’s death will be a significant test for both Wanky and De Chavez, who are relatively new to their roles in Western Visayas and Negros Occidental.
They must resolve this case promptly, or else the integrity of the entire police force in Negros Occidental and Western Visayas could be at stake./PN
