Cops rule out foul play in death of maritime exec in Tacloban

TACLOBAN CITY –– The police ruled out foul play in the death of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) director in Eastern Visayas,  whose body was found inside his apartment in this city on Sunday, May 2.

Rommel John Mendoza, 55, was lying in his room when his bodyguard, Dennis Barcelo, called him for breakfast around 8 a.m.

Barcelo said Mendoza was suffering from an illness that he did not divulge.

Barcelo, who also works at Marina, said he noticed that Mendoza was not breathing. He immediately called the Tacloban City Rescue Unit for help.

Mendoza, a native of Bulacan province and a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 93, assumed his post as Marina-8 director last April 22.

He retired as a colonel at the Philippine Navy.

Engr. Rodulfo Paner, maritime industry development specialist, said they were shocked upon learning about Mendoza’s death.

“We have already informed his family about his death. We also requested the Air Force to airlift his body. But (as part of the protocols), he was swabbed, and we are still waiting for the result,” he said in a phone interview.

LZB