PNP-IAS: Dismiss cops tagged in Calbayog mayor’s slay

MANILA, Philippines — The Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) has recommended the dismissal of five police officers accused of killing Mayor Ronaldo Aquino of Calbayog City in Samar.

IAS inspector general Alfegar Triambulo said they submitted a copy of their resolution on the administrative cases filed against Lt. Col. Harry Sucayre, Maj. Shyrille Tan, Lt. Julio Armeza Jr., Senior S/Sgt. Niel Cebu and Cpl. Edsel Omega to the PNP Directorate sfor Personnel and Records Management on Thursday.

Triambulo said the resolution would be submitted for approval of PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar.

Triambulo maintained that Aquino was killed in an ambush and not in a shootout with law enforcers on March 8 as claimed by the policemen.

“Their purpose was to liquidate the mayor,” he said.

Triambulo said Aquino’s vehicle bore 267 bullet holes, an indication that the policemen were bent on killing the mayor.

“Merong ding mga trajectory sa windshield so talagang papatayin yung nasa loob,” he said.

Witnesses told probers the policemen fired the first shot and Aquino retaliated only after his police escort S/Sgt. Rodeo Sario and driver Dennis Abayon were killed in the initial volley of gunfire.

The mayor’s assistant Mansfield Labonite was wounded.

Triambulo said the policemen could not explain why their two slain companions – Capt. Joselito Tabada and S/Sgt. Romeo Laoyon – wore bonnets.