Ousted mayor’s aide shot dead

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines  – Motorcycle-riding gunmen shot dead a bodyguard of ousted mayor Jefferson Soriano of this city in Solana town, Cagayan last Sunday. ?

Solana chief investigator Senior Police Officer 3 Roque Binayug identified the fatality as Gilbert Acierto, 49, a former member of the Philippine Constabulary.

Acierto was close-in bodyguard of Soriano, who is currently appealing a dismissal order handed down by the Office of the Ombudsman for abuse of authority.

Roque told The STAR that Acierto died from gunshot wounds in the head and body.

Probers recovered several bullet shells for a caliber .45 and 9mm pistols from the crime scene.

Acierto was last seen driving his motorcycle on his way home to Villaverde town in Nueva Vizcaya. His body was found along the highway beside his motorcycle.

Investigators also recovered the victim’s service firearm, a caliber .45 pistol.

Police refused to confirm whether the killing is connected with the controversy involving Soriano.