CEBU, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has directed the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) to fast track the investigation into the ambush of Lt. Col. Chuck Barandog and wife, Yvonne, a partylist nominee in the May 2022 polls.
Barandog is assigned at the police holding unit at Camp Crame at the national headquarters of the Philippine National Police.
The Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) formed to investigate the incident convened on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, said Lt. Colonel Wilbert Parilla, Deputy City Director for Operations of CCPO.
"This is to gather the pieces of evidence, and different agencies of CIDG, SOCO will now present all the evidence we have so that ato ning matipon will determine the suspect," said Parilla.
Investigators have ruled out politics as motive in the shooting, considering it was Barandog sustained 11 gunshot wounds.
Parilla said all pieces of evidence are now in their possession, including the mobile phones of victims.
On Tuesday, May 3, Barandog was already out of critical condition but needs to undergo several surgical procedures.
Yvonne is already in stable condition.
The couple was ambushed as their vehicle stopped at a red light at an intersection on Pope John Paul Avenue in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City late evening on Labor Day.
They came from a gathering of STL Partylist at the North Reclamation Area that night. — JMO (FREEMAN)