Ronaldo Aquino

Ronaldo Porlares Aquino (December 5, 1961 – March 8, 2021) was a Filipino accountant and politician who served as mayor of the city of Calbayog, Samar. He and his three companions were assassinated in March 8, 2021.

Early life and career Aquino was born in Calbayog, Samar. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Accountancy at University of the East and became a certified public accountant before entering politics in 1992.

He served as vice mayor of the city from 1995 to 2001 and 2004 until 2011. Upon the assassination of mayor Reynaldo Uy, he took the position and was sworn in as the mayor of the city from 2011 until his murder on March 8, 2021.

Death In 2011, his predecessor, mayor Reynaldo Uy was killed by a sniper during a formal program at Hinabangan town when during that time, Aquino was the vice-mayor. On March 8, 2021, Aquino, including 5 others, was also killed suffering 21 gunshot wounds in his entire body during a shoot-out with police in a "mistaken encounter" as authorities initially claimed.

Investigation on Calbayog incident and trial status His killing prompted a Senate investigation. A statement by the lone survivor, Aquino's assistant, also refuted the claim by the police that it was a shootout.

NBI released their report later that month, revealing that the van that Aquino rode had a total of almost 600 bullet holes. The vehicles used by police officers and by the operatives also got a total of 185 entry and exit holes and five entry holes, respectively. The one caught in the crossfire, which also contained the civilian casualty, sustained eleven gunshots.

A joint resolution issued by the Department of Justice prosecutors on December 15, 2021 was released on January 19, 2022, saying Aquino and his aides were ambushed. charges were later filed before the Calbayog Regional Trial Court. as well as the supplemental complaint of Mark against two individuals, were dismissed.

On February 15, 2022, the nine surrendered to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Camp Crame, a day after the Calbayog RTC Branch 32 issued their arrest warrants. They were then detained in the PNP custodial facility; CIDG were later asked to transfer the accused to a jail facility in Samar.

All were dismissed from the service; before the judge inhibited herself from the case. The trial is ongoing.