Ronaldo Aquino —PHOTO FROM CALBAYOG CITY INFORMATION OFFICE FACEBOOK PAGE
MANILA, Philippines — An investigation on the “senseless murder” of Calbayog City mayor Ronaldo Aquino is being pushed in the House of Representatives.
Under House Resolution No. 1633, Samar 1st District Rep. Edgar Sarmiento, a close friend of Aquino, urged the Committee on Public Order and Safety to conduct the said investigation, in aid of legislation.
“It is hereby resolved that the House of Representatives urge the Committee on Public Order and Safety to conduct an investigation, in aid of legislation, on the senseless murder of Mayor Ronaldo Aquino of Calbayog City, Samar committed by members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to determine the circumstances behind the incident, procedure undertaken during a legitimate police operation, if there are measures to be filed to curb illegal practices, and recommend filing of appropriate charges against the perpetrators,” Sarmiento said in the resolution.
Lt. Col. Maria Bella Rentuaya, information officer of the Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas, earlier said that gunfire coming from the vehicle carrying Aquino triggered a shootout between the mayor’s group and police anti – narcotics officers.
Sarmiento earlier insisted that the incident was a case of “ambush” and not a shootout, citing witness accounts.
“There were already previous incidents in our district where political leaders were killed by gunmen. Despite this, we have yet to hear arrests being made and perpetrators being brought to justice,” Sarmiento said.
Samar Rep. Edgar Sarmiento INQUIRER.net file photo / RYAN LEAGOGO)
“It is not acceptable for killings to occur in a civilized society. It is even more impermissible when the members of the uniformed service are being accused of involvement in these heinous acts,” the lawmaker added.