Slain Calbayog mayor's loved ones doubt PNP's shootout tale

Loved ones and friends of slain Calbayog City Mayor Ronaldo Aquino doubt the PNP's investigation report that his security detail opened fire on a team of policemen, whom they suspected of tailing them.

According to Marisol Abdurahman's report on "24 Oras", Aquino's son Mark said it was unlikely that his father's men started the shootout.

"Kung titignan nyo po yung sasakyan niya, grabe yung tama. Sobrang dami," Mark said.

"Meron na pong nakaabang sa kanila sa tulay mismo... Sa pagkakaalam ko po bale tatlong sasakyan yung nagtambang sa kanya," he added.

Mark said their family had received information that Aquino had been targeted to be linked to illegal drugs.

"Maraming iformation na ire-raid yung bahay namin tapos lalagyan ng droga and then papatayin kami para lalabas na nag-aano kami ng droga," Mark said.

A spokesperson for the PNP in Samar said investigation showed that Aquino, his driver, and his security detail shot at the team of policemen, whom they suspected of following them.

Videos obtained by GMA News showed that Aquino's white van appeared to have had been riddled with bullets when residents approached to help them. Aquino was already dead inside the vehicle. 

Aquino's friend Colonel Emil Zosa said there were no uniformed personnel in the arera.

"Bakit walang uniformed personnel na kasama? Bakit iniwanan nila yung casualty nila? Na considering patay na yung target nila, e. Dapat kinordon na nila yung lugar," Zosa said. -NB, GMA News