NINE policemen accused of involvement in the ambush-slaying of Calbayog City Mayor Ronaldo Aquino and two of his aides on March 8, 2021 on Tuesday surrendered to the Philippine National Police- Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
The nine were identified as Lt. Col. Harry Sucayre, Maj. Shyrile Tan, Capt. Dino Golez, Lt. Julio Armeza Jr, SSgts. Neil Cebu, Edsel Omega and Randy Mereles, Cpl. Julius Garcia and Pat. Niño Salem.
“The nine accused are now considered persons under police custody while awaiting further orders from the court. The PNP commits its 100-percent cooperation in the prosecution of the case,” PNP chief Dionardo Carlos said.
The accused officers surredered to the PNP-CIDG after Judge Cicero Lampasa of the Calbayog City Regional Trial Court issued the warrants for their arrest on Valentine’s Day.
No bail was recommended for the temporary liberty of the accused in connection with the four separate murder cases filed against them.
Lt. Col. Sucayre, Maj. Tan and SSgts. Omega and Cebu have already been dismissed from the police service last November following a recommendation from the PNP Internal Affairs Service.
Meanwhile, the other accused who remained in active service were placed under a Leave of Absence Without Pay status while under detention.
The nine were charged in connection with the killing of Mayor Aquino, his police security escort Rodeo Stario, driver Dennis Abayon and a passerby identified as Clint Paul Yauder.
The shooting incident took place in Labuyao Bridge in Bgy. Lonoy in Calbayog City. It was initially reported as a “shootout” but a probe by the National Bureau of Investigation showed otherwise.
