Ex-Cebu town mayor murdered in hospital
Published Jun 19, 2019 03:39 pm
By Calvin Cordova
CEBU CITY—The former mayor of Medellin town in northern Cebu who was under hospital arrest was gunned down in his hospital room shortly before midnight Tuesday.
Ricky Ramirez, 55, died from multiple gunshot wounds in the head and body.
File photo of former Mayor and incumbent councilor of the Municipality of Medellin Ricardo Ramirez (right) who was shot dead by unidentified men in Bogo-Medellin Hospital in Northern part of Cebu where he was on hospital arrest on June 19, 2019. Ramirez was arrested last July 26, 2017 after a search warrant operation in his residence in Sitio Caputatan Sur, Medellin. (JUAN CARLO DE VELA / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
The attack happened at the Bogo-Medellin Medical Center in Barangay Luya, Medellin.
Major Audie Pelayo, Medellin police chief, said at least 15 men arrived at the hospital in three sports utility vehicles (SUV) and a sedan.
The group, who were wearing bonnets and carrying rifles, disarmed the hospital’s security guard and proceeded to the nurse's station.
Four of the armed men asked a nurse to lead them to the room where Ramirez was confined.
Jail officer Renan Pableo said he, Ramirez and the girlfriend of the victim’s son were watching television when armed men broke into the room.
Ramirez ran to the toilet inside the room. His son’s girlfriend followed him.
Pableo said one of the assailants kicked him and told him to drop to the floor before taking his service firearm and cellphone.
The gunmen followed Ramirez to the toilet and repeatedly shot him. The woman was unharmed.
The assailants fled, bringing with them personal belongings such as cell phones of the hospital personnel.
Empty shells of M4 rifle and .9mm caliber pistol were recovered at the crime scene.
Pelayo said the hospital had no security cameras.
Police launches probe
The Philippine National Police (PNP) launched an investigation Wednesday to hunt down the suspects.
"The killing of former Medellin, Cebu Mayor Ricardo Ramirez inside a hospital is now being investigated to identify the perpetrators and make them accountable before the law," said Police Colonel Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson.
"The PNP assures the public that the peace and order situation in Cebu is under control and our forces there remain vigilant to prevent occurrence of crimes," he added.
Ramirez was Medellin mayor for three terms. When his last term ended in 2016, he ran for councilor and won but his son, Ricardo IV, lost in the mayoralty race against Joven Mondigo Jr.
In July 26, 2017, Ramirez was arrested after police found unlicensed high-powered firearms during a raid in his home. Drug-sniffing paraphernalia such as tinfoil, lighter and tooter were also found in the house.
At the time, former Police Regional Office-Central Visayas director Jose Mario Espino tagged Ramirez as a “high-value” target with links to the illegal drug trade.
Ramirez denied he was into illegal drugs. He said the seized firearms, two M16 rifles with telescope, a .30 caliber rifle, a .22 caliber rifle with telescope, .45 caliber gun, 9mm caliber pistol, two air guns, were defective.
While in detention, Ramirez’ blood pressure shot up and was taken to a hospital. His request to put him under hospital arrest was granted by the court.
Last Feb. 20, police made a surprise inspection of Ramirez’s hospital room and seized liquor, cigarettes, cellphone accessories, and playing cards, among other items. (With a report from Martin Sadongdong)
File photo of former Mayor and incumbent councilor of the Municipality of Medellin Ricardo Ramirez (right) who was shot dead by unidentified men in Bogo-Medellin Hospital in Northern part of Cebu where he was on hospital arrest on June 19, 2019. Ramirez was arrested last July 26, 2017 after a search warrant operation in his residence in Sitio Caputatan Sur, Medellin. (JUAN CARLO DE VELA / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
The attack happened at the Bogo-Medellin Medical Center in Barangay Luya, Medellin.
Major Audie Pelayo, Medellin police chief, said at least 15 men arrived at the hospital in three sports utility vehicles (SUV) and a sedan.
The group, who were wearing bonnets and carrying rifles, disarmed the hospital’s security guard and proceeded to the nurse's station.
Four of the armed men asked a nurse to lead them to the room where Ramirez was confined.
Jail officer Renan Pableo said he, Ramirez and the girlfriend of the victim’s son were watching television when armed men broke into the room.
Ramirez ran to the toilet inside the room. His son’s girlfriend followed him.
Pableo said one of the assailants kicked him and told him to drop to the floor before taking his service firearm and cellphone.
The gunmen followed Ramirez to the toilet and repeatedly shot him. The woman was unharmed.
The assailants fled, bringing with them personal belongings such as cell phones of the hospital personnel.
Empty shells of M4 rifle and .9mm caliber pistol were recovered at the crime scene.
Pelayo said the hospital had no security cameras.
Police launches probe
The Philippine National Police (PNP) launched an investigation Wednesday to hunt down the suspects.
"The killing of former Medellin, Cebu Mayor Ricardo Ramirez inside a hospital is now being investigated to identify the perpetrators and make them accountable before the law," said Police Colonel Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson.
"The PNP assures the public that the peace and order situation in Cebu is under control and our forces there remain vigilant to prevent occurrence of crimes," he added.
Ramirez was Medellin mayor for three terms. When his last term ended in 2016, he ran for councilor and won but his son, Ricardo IV, lost in the mayoralty race against Joven Mondigo Jr.
In July 26, 2017, Ramirez was arrested after police found unlicensed high-powered firearms during a raid in his home. Drug-sniffing paraphernalia such as tinfoil, lighter and tooter were also found in the house.
At the time, former Police Regional Office-Central Visayas director Jose Mario Espino tagged Ramirez as a “high-value” target with links to the illegal drug trade.
Ramirez denied he was into illegal drugs. He said the seized firearms, two M16 rifles with telescope, a .30 caliber rifle, a .22 caliber rifle with telescope, .45 caliber gun, 9mm caliber pistol, two air guns, were defective.
While in detention, Ramirez’ blood pressure shot up and was taken to a hospital. His request to put him under hospital arrest was granted by the court.
Last Feb. 20, police made a surprise inspection of Ramirez’s hospital room and seized liquor, cigarettes, cellphone accessories, and playing cards, among other items. (With a report from Martin Sadongdong)