4 cops sacked over Calbayog mayor’s slay

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has dismissed from the service four officers after they were found guilty of the murder of Calbayog City mayor Ronald Aquino and his security escorts in March.

In a nine-page decision released on Nov. 8 and signed by former PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, the PNP dismissed Lt. Col. Harry Sucayre, Lt. Col. Shyrile Tan, Cpl. Edsel Omega and S/Sgt. Neil Cebu.

The former police officers were found guilty of five counts of grave misconduct, four counts of murder, one count of frustrated murder, and grave irregularity in the performance of duty.

Citing lack of evidence, the same decision cleared other officers earlier linked to the killing.

The PNP’s Internal Affairs Service (IAS) submitted in September its findings and recommended the filing of administrative cases against the four officers.

Results of the investigation conducted by the PNP-IAS headed by Insp. Gen. Alfegar Triambulo confirmed that Aquino and his men were killed in an ambush and not in a shootout with police as earlier claimed by the officers.

The PNP-IAS findings were corroborated by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which said the victims were ambushed and killed in their vehicle.

Aside from Aquino, slain were his security escort S/Sgt. Rodeo Sario, driver Dennis Abayon and another civilian.  Two police officers were also killed when Aquino and his companions returned fire during the ambush.