By I. Inojales, Helen Castaño | 10:25 PM August 13, 2025
TAGBILARAN CITY, BOHOL — Police in Bohol have arrested one of their own for a string of criminal offenses—including robbery, frustrated murder, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and violation of domicile—following two violent incidents in Guindulman town early Wednesday morning, August 13, 2025.
Lt. Col. Norman Lobriga Nuez, spokesperson for the Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO), said that around 5:30 a.m., the Guindulman Municipal Police Station received a report of an armed robbery at a convenience store in Barangay Sawang.
Security guard Wilbert Haynor, 36, told police that the suspect, later identified as Patrolman Marcelo “Siloy” Olaer, arrived on a black-and-green Suzuki Raider 150 motorcycle without a plate number, brandished a firearm, and forcibly took his service weapon.
Responding officers—Master Sgt. Rodelio Zamora, Senior Master Sgt. Fidel Gurrea, Master Sgt. Flaviano Beronio, and Staff Sgt. Rey Jay Tinampay—launched a hot pursuit after Olaer fled the scene.
While in pursuit, police received another call from a concerned citizen about a shooting in Purok 5, Barangay Guinacot. Officers rushed to the location and arrested Olaer at the home of a 23-year-old man, the second victim in the series of incidents.
Investigators said that around 5:40 a.m., Olaer allegedly forced his way through the victim’s gate, shot and killed a dog, and fired multiple rounds at the house, striking the main door, a glass window, and a concrete wall.
He also allegedly shot a third victim—a 24-year-old man from Purok 2, Barangay Guinacot—hitting him in the right shoulder. The victim was rushed to a Tagbilaran City hospital and is now in stable condition.
Police recovered from Olaer a 9mm pistol (serial number 49206783) with an empty magazine, a 9mm Luger MOD TEC-KG9 (serial number 476252) with two empty magazines and one misfired round, 12 live 9mm rounds, four slugs, eight spent 9mm cartridges, the motorcycle he used, and other evidence.
Authorities confirmed that Olaer was also involved in a separate incident on August 11, 2025, where he allegedly threatened an American national, his wife, and their 5-month-old baby during an “Oplan Sita” checkpoint in Barangay Sawang.
Kenny Foster, 40, of Barangay Guinacot, said he and his wife were confronted by a visibly intoxicated Olaer at the town’s public market.
Foster alleged that the officer flagged him down, tried to push him off his motorcycle, seized his firearm, and hurled profanities, including “F*** America.”
“He kept yelling, putting his middle finger in my face while the whole Guindulman public market watched in fear, thinking this drunk cop would shoot me,” Foster recounted. He claimed that Olaer punched him in the ribs, shoved him several times, and verbally abused his wife.
According to Foster, responding officers confirmed Olaer was armed and drunk but merely advised the couple to take a different route home to avoid him.
“That is not how a police department should be run—where you have to hide from the police so they don’t kill you,” Foster said. He added that Olaer allegedly told his wife he disliked him from the moment they met simply because he was a foreigner.
The couple filed a formal complaint at BPPO on Tuesday. Nuez said Olaer’s service firearm had already been confiscated by Guindulman police chief Capt. Exelsis Belciña following that incident.
Olaer, 51, who previously faced arrest for indiscriminate firing in February 2020, is now in police custody and faces charges of robbery, frustrated murder, violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act), violation of domicile, and grave threats.
BPPO Provincial Director Col. Arnel Balagat Banzon ordered a separate investigation by the Provincial Investigation and Management Unit (PIDMU) and requested the Bohol Provincial Internal Affairs Service to launch a moto propio probe. Olaer will also undergo psychological and neurological evaluation.
Banzon stressed that he will not tolerate police officers who violate the law and human rights, assuring a fair and speedy investigation to ensure justice for the victims. He also commended Guindulman police for their swift response and arrest.
Nuez reminded all police personnel to remain steadfast, calm, humble, and faithful to God despite the pressures and challenges of the job to avoid similar incidents.
