Samar Representative Edgar Mary Sarmiento on Tuesday wants the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate the death of Calbayog Mayor Ronaldo Aquino and other individuals on Monday.
“The only agency that I think can help us as of the moment is the National Bureau of Investigation,” Sarmiento said in a phone interview with GMA News Online.
“Bakit nakauniporme pa na nagpalit ang pumatay sa mayor? Hindi ko maintindihan ito… this is a democratic country… ano ba tayo? Banana republic na ba tayo? Napakamura naman ng buhay sa atin…” he added.
Sarmiento filed a House resolution Tuesday morning urging the committee on public order and safety to look into the shooting incident.
The solon said he is puzzled why those who killed the Calbayog mayor were supposedly police officers. He questioned why the cops were wearing beanies (bonnets) and used high-powered firearms if the operation was legitimate.
“Nagworry kasi ako, simulan ko no… kasi ang unang pinalabas na statement ng Philippine National Police na unang nagpaputok ang sasakyan ni mayor… Imposible naman yata ‘yun kasi sa kadami ba naman ng sasakyan, paano mo malalaman… Ibang-iba ang kwentuhan sa ground, sa crime scene…” he said.
“Nagtataka naman ako, I really wonder kung legitimate operation bakit naka-bonnet, bakit may M-203, bakit inunahang magpaputok kay mayor? Kung halimbawa naman sabihin nating special operation, anong dahilan?” he added.
Solon from Samar wants NBI to investigate death of Calbayog mayor
According to Philippine National Police chief Debold Sinas, the details of the incident are not yet complete, but they are sure it was a shootout and not an ambush as first reported.
Aquino was traveling when the shooting happened at the Laboyao Bridge in Brgy. Lonoy around 5:30 p.m.
Based on preliminary information from the PNP, the mayor’s group first opened fire on the vehicle of the policemen who allegedly just passed by.
Sarmiento expressed doubt about the police handling the investigation.
He compared the death of the Calbayog mayor to the shooting encounter between the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Quezon City cops.
“Parang hindi ako maniniwala diyan, kagaya din ng ginawa sa Manila ‘yan kung saan nagcreate ng Board of Inquiry ang PDEA at ang Philippine National Police…” Sarmiento said