Police Regional Office 8 said on Tuesday that a special investigation task group would be investigating the shooting incident that led to the death of Calbayog City Mayor Ronaldo Aquino and three others.
The Special Investigation Task Group Aquino will have a conference on Tuesday about the case.
“This PRO already created ‘SITG Aquino’ to facilitate the prompt investigation of the case, wherein a conference is set to be conducted today, March 9, 2021,” it said in an update.
PRO8 is currently gathering more details from the testimonies from Philippine National Police personnel who were involved in the shooting.
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.
Special task force to probe killing of Calbayog mayor
“Ang mga pulis natin who were passing by, based sa initial findings ng mga pulis natin, ay binaril ng mga escort ni mayor. Hindi nila alam na pulis ang nandoon sa loob, tapos ang mga pulis gumanti na lang,” said Sinas.
(Our policemen who were passing by, based on the initial findings of our policemen, were shot by the mayor’s escorts. They did not know that the police were inside, then the police just retaliated.)
Earlier, PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Ildebrandi Usana said that Sinas is already investigating the incident with Region 8 Police director Brig. Gen. Ronaldo de Jesus.
Meanwhile, former Interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento, who also served as mayor of Calbayog City, condemns the killing of Aquino.
“I am very, very, sad. I strongly condemn. Hope justice will be served to his family,” Sarmiento said in a phone interview.
A city councilor also said that the council was shocked and saddened by the killing of Mayor Aquino.
“The entire people of Calbayog are now in shock. Hope the police could resolve this soon,” he said.
Vice mayor Diego Rivera would replace Aquino as mayor of Calbayog based on rules of succession.