Ombuds to join probe into Ramirez case

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman Visayas-7 will coordinate with the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in investigating Mayor Ricardo Ramirez of Medellin for the death of his head of security.

Ombudsman Virginia Santiago said they started their fact-finding after they received a report from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 that Ramirez accidentally shot Edelberto Abao, 57.

Santiago said the report from the CIDG was received by their office last Wednesday and was docketed. She added their office’s duty is to conduct an investigation as to the liability of the reports and complaint alleging that it was Ramirez who accidentally shot Abao.

She added that the report filed by the CIDG in their office was a mere report and there were no affidavits attached to it.

Last Wednesday Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Joe Noel Lawas sent a subpoena to Ramirez ordering him to file his counter-affidavit within 10 days of receipt.

However, Ramirez earlier told The FREEMAN he was still waiting for the subpoena in order to answer the allegations against him.

Meanwhile, the Department of Interior and Local Government is investigating claims that Abao died of cardiac arrest after his operation for the gunshot wound and not of cardiac arrest due to the gunshot wound.

But the CIDG stood firm on their findings, through some witnesses, that Abao died because of cardiac arrest due to the gunshot wound itself.

CIDG-7 Director Senior Supt. Ramon Rafael said it was established in their investigation that Ramirez accidentally fired his gun and hit Abao causing the latter’s death.

Abao was shot in the public market in Medellin last December 27 while he was with Ramirez and the members of the mayor’s squad in visiting the market.

Abao then slumped on a chair after sustaining a gunshot wound to his thigh. He immediately brought to the hospital but days after he was declared dead.  (FREEMAN)