The Cagayan Provincial Police Office announced Sunday that it will investigate the actions of the police officers assigned to secure Rizal, Cagayan Mayor Joel Ruma’s campaign rally, where the mayor was fatally shot.
Police Captain Shiela Joy Fronda, spokesperson for the provincial police, explained that it is standard procedure for the Philippine National Police (PNP) to deploy officers at political events. Four officers were assigned to Ruma’s team during the rally in Barangay Illuru Sur on Wednesday evening.
Fronda confirmed during an interview on Super Radyo dzBB that the officers’ firearms have already been retrieved and submitted to the forensic unit for examination.
“This is part of the investigation to assess whether the police properly carried out their duties during the shooting,” she said.
Mayor Ruma was shot in the right shoulder, with the bullet exiting through his back. He was rushed to Tuao District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival at 10:31 p.m.
Authorities are also looking into the possibility that a sniper was involved in the attack. Prior to the shooting, Ruma had reportedly received death threats.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances behind the assassination.