By Jeffrey Damicog
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is ready to join the investigation into the recent killing of a former town mayor in Cebu, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Thursday.
Former Cebu Mayor and incumbent councilor of the Municipality of Medellin Ricardo Ramirez (right) (JUAN CARLO DE VELA / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
In the meantime, Guevarra said the Philippine National Police (PNP) should be allowed to conduct the probe into the killing of former Medellin Mayor Ricky Ramirez before the NBI is ordered to join the probe.
“We’ll let the local PNP do its investigation first,” the Secretary told reporters.
“The regional NBI office will be ready to assist or, if necessary, conduct its own probe,” he assured.
Ramirez was killed Tuesday night while being confined at the Bogo-Medellin Medical Center in Barangay Luya, Medellin.
READ MORE: Ex-Cebu town mayor murdered in hospital
The PNP said at least 15 men wearing bonnets and armed with rifles arrived at the hospital in three sports utility vehicles (SUV) and a sedan.
The assailants proceeded to the hospital room where Ramirez was staying and killed him there.
Jail officer Renan Pableo and the girlfriend of the victim’s son were also inside the room but were unharmed.
Ramirez, who had been tagged as having links in the illegal drugs trade, was arrested at his home on July 26, 2017, after police found unlicensed high-powered firearms and illegal drugs paraphernalia.
He has been placed under hospital arrest after his request was granted by a court.