A former police intelligence operative was shot dead and his son slightly injured by three unidentified gunmen Thursday night in Victorias City, Negros Occidental.

The slain policeman was identified as SPO1 Dennis Gimay, a former intelligence operative of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, while his son, Benjiever, a second year high school student, was grazed by a bullet on his left side.

Supt. Jomil John Trio, Victorias police chief, yesterday said they are not discounting the possibility that the suspects were New People’s Army hitmen who are also engaged in “agaw-armas” operations.

He also said the shooting of Gimay could have been triggered by old personal grudges, citing an incident in Victorias City, where he allegedly boxed a person.

Initial police investigations showed that Gimay, 50, was shot in the back by one of three gunmen, who suddenly arrived in front of his residence in Hacienda Cristina, Brgy. 21, Victorias City, on board a tricycle.

Trio said the assailant also took the 9mm pistol of Gimay, while his two other companions went up to his house to get his M-16 assault rifle.

However, Jeffrey Gimay, nephew of the slain policeman, who had witnessed the killing of his uncle, managed to get hold first of the assault rifle, that he had used in shooting the suspects.

Trio said a brief shoot-out ensued between the nephew of Gimay and the gunmen were forced to withdraw towards Manapla on a top-down tricycle.

Three empty shells of a 9mm pistol and four spent cartridges of an M-16 rifle were recovered by policemen who responded to the shooting incident.

Gimay who used to be a member of the defunct Philippine Constabulary, was shot in the back, police investigations also showed.

Trio said they are now pursuing a lead, which may help them in unmasking the suspects and motive for the killing.  He, however, refused to give more details, pending follow up operations.

Before his death, Gimay served as a driver and security escort of Supt. Flomar Natu-el, NOPPO deputy provincial police director for Administration.*GPB

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