‘No info on Calbayog mayor’s alleged drug links’

MANILA, Philippines — Police authorities in Eastern Visayas admitted they have no information on any illegal drug involvement of Calbayog Mayor Ronaldo Aquino, who died when police anti-drug operatives fired at his vehicle at Laboyao Bridge in Barangay Lonoy in the city.

At a virtual public hearing of the Senate committee on justice, Sen. Richard Gordon quizzed police on whether they have any information on the mayor’s alleged drug links.

“There’s an earlier report that the mayor was tagged as drug…I apologize to the family, I just want to get to the bottom of this. I really apologize to the family. Is it true that the mayor was involved in drugs?” Gordon asked.

“As far as we are concerned, we do not have any report on that matter,” Philippine National Police (PNP) regional director Brig. Gen. Ronaldo de Jesus answered.

Authorities admitted they could not yet provide leads or report on clear developments in the case, except that the investigation is still going on.

De Jesus said all involved policemen are accounted for and restricted to their units, while guns used in the shooting are undergoing ballistic examination.

Aquino suffered at least 21 gunshot wounds in half of his body, his eldest son, Mark Aquino, said yesterday.

“According to the count, there are already 21 bullet wounds just on one side of my father’s body,” Mark said, noting that the fatal gunshot wounds were on his father’s head and chest.

House probe sought

A key leader of the House of Representatives yesterday called on the committee on public order and safety to conduct an investigation on Aquino’s death.

The initial police report described the incident as a shootout, although many witnesses said the mayor was ambushed.

“To those who conducted the ambush, it is painful to say but they were in uniform, they were operatives of the PNP. And this is what really bothers me: I am wondering why they were wearing bonnets and using M-203. It seems they were fully prepared,” Samar 1st District Rep. Edgar Sarmiento said.

Sarmiento, a political ally of the slain mayor, also called on the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate the incident because he “could not get justice” from the PNP anymore.

PNP to use bodycams

In the midst of accusations that law enforcers do not follow proper procedures during anti-crime operations, Malacañang said yesterday that the PNP may start using body cameras next month.

“The body cameras are there, trainings are being conducted and we expect the body cams to be used in April to prevent doubts and to determine what is really happening when someone is killed,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.

The PNP has acquired 2,696 cameras from electronics manufacturing firm EVI Distribution Inc. to promote transparency in its operations. –  Delon Porcalla, Miriam Desacada, Emmanuel Tupas, Alexis Romero