NBI ordered to probe Calbayog mayor slay

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe the killing of Calbayog City, Samar province Mayor Ronald Aquino.

In a department order on Tuesday, Guevarra directed the NBI to submit reports on the progress of the investigation within 10 days.

Aquino was on his way to his son’s birthday celebration when a group of unidentified men fired at his vehicle.

The Calbayog mayor died along with two of his security personnel.

Police said it was a case of shootout, but Samar 1st District Rep. Edgar Sarmiento, Aquino’s friend, dubbed it as an ambush and called on the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct an impartial investigation.

For its part, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has formed a task group to investigate the ambush-slay of Aquino.

Malacañang has condemned the killing of Aquino, fearing it is the beginning of political violence due to the approaching 2022 elections.

JE