The entire police force in the province faces the challenge of keeping the organization intact despite the latest conflict involving two of their own.

Police Provincial Director Dennis Agustin ordered tight security for the cop who had accidentally killed another who had also shot another cop who later died.

At around 9 a.m. on December 28, PO2 Marlon Balbirana, member of the Tourist Police Unit assigned at the Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella, suddenly arrived at the kitchen at the back portion of the Sikatuna Police Station where SPO2 Fidel Malig-on was with two other cops.

SPO2 Malig-on, who is assigned at the Sikatuna Police Station was with  PO3 Al Noel Felecia and another cop.

PO2 Balbiran confronted SPO2 Malig-on and as he asked why the latter embarrassed his family, he simultaneously drew his firearm and shot Malig-on.

PO3 Felecia took his firearm and fired a warning shot at PO2 Balbiran to prevent him from shooting again. But PO2 Balbiran remained aggressive, prompting Felecia to shoot him.

PO2 Balbiran was hit in the head and died.

SPO2 Malig-on, who sustained a gunshot wound in the stomach, died in the hospital hours later that day.

Felecia is now being provided security for possible retaliation from sympathizers of Balbiran.

PSSupt. Agustin has ordered an in-depth investigation on the incident, and how one policeman came to harbor a grudge against another officer which eventually led to the killing of two officers involved.

Felecia has also been on leave from work since then for security reasons and to also facilitate thorough investigation on the incident.

The firearm used by Balbiran and that of Malig-on were submitted to the PNP crime laboratory at Camp Dagohoy.

Balbiran and Malig-on were cousins and neighbors in Barangay Oy, Loboc.