Solon wants NBI to probe death of Calbayog mayor

Samar Representative Edgar Mary Sarmiento on Tuesday said he prefers the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe the death of Calbayog City Mayor Ronaldo Aquino and other individuals on Monday.

"The only agency that I think can help us as of the moment is the National Bureau of Investigation," Sarmiento said in a phone interview with GMA News Online.

"Bakit nakauniporme pa na nagpalit ang pumatay sa mayor? Hindi ko maintindihan ito... this is a democratic country... ano ba tayo? Banana republic na ba tayo? Napakamura naman ng buhay sa atin..." he added.

Sarmiento said he already filed a House resolution Tuesday morning urging the committee on public order and safety to look into the incident.

The lawmaker said he is puzzled why the perpetrators were supposedly policemen. He said if it was indeed a legitimate operation, why were the cops wearing bonnets and why did they bring high-powered firearms.

"Nagworry kasi ako, simulan ko no... kasi ang unang pinalabas na statement ng Philippine National Police na unang nagpaputok ang sasakyan ni mayor... Imposible naman yata 'yun kasi sa kadami ba naman ng sasakyan, paano mo malalaman... Ibang-iba ang kwentuhan sa ground, sa crime scene..." he said.

"Nagtataka naman ako, I really wonder kung legitimate operation bakit naka-bonnet, bakit may M-203, bakit inunahang magpaputok kay mayor? Kung halimbawa naman sabihin nating special operation, anong dahilan?" he added.

Earlier reports said Aquino and his companions were in a van when their vehicle was riddled with bullets on Laboyao Bridge in Barangay Lonoy.

Aquino's camp thought that they were being followed by another vehicle. They shot at the vehicle, whose passengers turned out to be policemen who retaliated.

A task group was already created to investigate the incident.

Sarmiento said he is not confident with the police handling the investigation.

He compared this to the deadly shootout between policemen and agents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency wherein a joint inquiry was supposed to take place, however, President Rodrigo Duterte tasked the NBI to solely investigate the incident.

"Parang hindi ako maniniwala diyan, kagaya din ng ginawa sa Manila 'yan kung saan nagcreate ng Board of Inquiry ang PDEA at ang Philippine National Police..." Sarmiento said.—AOL, GMA News