21 cops face administrative raps over killing of Calbayog mayor

Administrative cases have been filed against 21 police officers who were involved in the killing of Calbayog Mayor Ronaldo Aquino in March, according to a report by Mark Makalalad on Super Radyo dzBB on Wednesday.

Philippine National Police – Internal Affairs Service (IAS) chief Inspector General Alfegar Triambulo said they will finish the hearing of the cases in 20 days.

Grave misconduct and grave irregularity in the performance of duty were filed against eight cops including some personnel of the PNP - Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) Visayas for planning the attack.

Grave irregularity in the performance of duty was filed against 11 police officers in the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit for not following the procedures of the PNP in operations.

Due to command responsibility, less grave irregularity in the performance of duty was filed against IMEG Visayas director Police Colonel Michael David and PRO8 Intelligence Division director Police Lieutenant Colonel Neil Montaño.

On June 9, witness Police Master Sergeant Jose Jay Senario said Aquino’s political rival, Raymundo Uy, coordinated with cops to pursue a search warrant against the mayor over his alleged involvement in illegal drugs.

Senario alleged that in 2018 a politician tasked him to issue an affidavit indicating that Aquino was protecting a police escort who was involved in illegal drugs.

On March 8, Aquino and his three companions in a van were killed when their vehicle was riddled with bullets on Laboyao Bridge in Barangay Lonoy.—Joviland Rita/LDF, GMA News