Task group formed to probe shootout that led to death of Calbayog mayor

A special investigation task group has been formed to probe the shooting incident that led to the death of Calbayog City Mayor Ronaldo Aquino and three others, the Police Regional Office 8 said on Tuesday.

The Special Investigation Task Group Aquino will conduct a conference on Tuesday about the case.

“This PRO already created 'SITG Aquino' to facilitate the prompt investigation of the case, wherein a conference is set to be conducted today, March 9, 2021,” it said in an update.

According to PRO8, they are currently gathering more details from the testimonies of the personnel of the Philippine National Police who were involved in the shooting incident.

Witnesses are now also being facilitated, it added.

While crossing the Laboyao Bridge in Barangay Lonoy in Calbayog City, Samar on Monday, Aquino and his companions aboard a van thought they were being followed by another vehicle. They fired shots at the vehicle and its passengers retaliated.

The passengers turned out to be police officers.

Aquino, his driver, and his security officer were killed in the encounter.

A police officer was also killed while another was injured. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News