TACLOBAN CITY - Arrest warrants have been issued against nine policemen tagged in the killing of Calbayog City Mayor Ronald Aquino.
Judge Cicero Lampasa of Regional Trial Court Branch 32 issued four warrants of arrest for Criminal Cases 9090, 9091 9092, and 9093, all for murder with no recommended bail, and another arrest order for frustrated murder (9094) with a fixed bail of P200,000 each.
The warrants were issued against Lt. Col. Harry Sucayre, Maj. Shyrille Tan, Capt. Dino Goles, Lt. Julio Armeza, Jr., Ssg. Neil Cebu, Ssg. Edsel Omega, Pat. Niño Salem, Cpl. Julius Garcia, and Ssg. Randy Merelos.
The accused cops have been under the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame.
The mayor was killed in a supposed encounter last March 8 on Laboyao Bridge, Brgy. Lonoy in Calbayog.
Aquino and his escorts were on their way to attend the birthday party of his son when they were allegedly fired upon by the suspects who were onboard vehicles that were tailing them.
The other vehicles were later identified to be carrying PNP personnel from the Integrity and Monitoring Enforcement Group and the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit.
Also killed were Aquino's driver, Dennis Abayon; and his security, SSg Rodio Sario; while his assistant Mansfield Labonite was wounded.
A civilian identified as Clint John Paul Yauder died while being transported to a hospital.
The firefight also led to the death of Capt Joselito Tabada, Chief PDEU; and SSg Romeo Cobococ Laoyon.
Aquino was on his last term as mayor of Calbayog. He succeeded the late Reynaldo Uy who was also killed in an ambush on April 30, 2011, in Hinabangan, Samar.