No more special task force for Cebu town mayor killed in hospital

Ryan Macasero

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

No more special task force for Cebu town mayor killed in hospital
The Cebu Provincial Police Office backtracks, saying Ricardo Ramirez' killing does not fit the parameters of a special investigation task force

MANILA, Philippines – New Cebu Provincial Police Office chief Colonel Roderick Mariano said it is the CCPO’s Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) that will continue supervising the investigation into the killing of ex-Medellin mayor Ricardo Ramirez and not a special task force as earlier announced.

“I will be briefed by the PIB in coordination with the CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) regarding the case,” said Mariano, who held his first briefing as the province’s police chief on Wednesday, June 26.

At least 15 armed men stormed a private hospital and shot dead Ramirez on June 18. 

Ramirez was being held under hospital arrest on firearms and drug charges when he was killed in the hospital room, which was being guarded by Bureau of Jail Management and Penology guards at the time.

CPPO originally said they were going to form a special investigation task force to probe the killing, but Police Regional Office-7 Director Debold Sinas said on Monday that Ramirez’ killing doesn’t fit the parameters needed for a task force.

“The requirement is supposed to be that he is a government employee or holding an elective position, a personnel of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) or PNP (Philippine National Police) or if the case affects prevalent peace and order,” Sinas said in a mix of Cebuano and English.

“What we’re looking at is who his enemies were. We are focusing on political enemies,” Sinas said. “Yes, there is a drug angle. He’s a big user, but we’re focusing on revenge by his enemies.”

Mariano assumed the role of provincial chief after Police Colonel Manuel Abrugena was transferred to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO). He said he will continue to oversee the investigation into the ambush attempt on San Fernando Mayor Lakambini “Neneth” Reluya in January.

Her husband Ricardo Reluya, who was her running mate in the midterm election, was killed in the ambush, while Neneth survived. (READ: Cebu town mayor who survived ambush secures reelection) – Rappler.com 

 

 

 

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!
Nobuhiko Matsunaka

author

Ryan Macasero

Ryan covers social welfare for Rappler. He started at Rappler as social media producer in 2013, and later took on various roles for the company: editor for the #BalikBayan section, correspondent in Cebu, and general assignments reporter in the Visayas region. He graduated from California State University, East Bay, with a degree in international studies and a minor in political science. Outside of work, Ryan performs spoken word poetry and loves attending local music gigs. Follow him on Twitter @ryanmacasero or drop him leads for stories at ryan.macasero@rappler.com