Security officer gunned down in Tagum City

TAGUM CITY — A member of the local government’s Security Management Office (SMO) was shot and killed outside the old city hall building here on Thursday,  police said.

Supt. Laudemer Laude, the city police chief, identified the victim as Ronnie Pascia, a resident of Barangay Madaum.

Laude said initial investigation revealed that Pascia was at his post at the old City Hall along Rizal Street when shot by the still unidentified assailant at past 5 a.m. The scene of the incident was less than 100 meters from the city police station.

Pascia had just returned to his post after taking a break at a nearby bakery when he was killed, said Leo Ayao, another SMO member.

He suffered gunshot wounds in different parts of the body and was declared dead on arrival at the Davao Regional Medical Center here.

It was learned that Pascia figured in a shooting incident in 2015 at the new City Hall complex in Apokon village where one person was killed. He was not charged but was transferred to another post.

The killing came some 12 hours after unidentified gunmen also shot dead Richard Aranquez, 30, at the Tagum City public market in Barangay Magugpo West. CBB/rga