(UPDATED) MAYOR Ronald Aquino of Calbayog City, Samar and two police escorts were killed in an ambush Monday afternoon, March 8, 2021.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-Eastern Visayas spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Bella Rentuaya said based on initial reports they received, Aquino was killed, as well as the two cops, who have not yet been identified as of this posting.

Aquino’s death was confirmed by Calbayog City Administrator Rosario Gonzaga, according to the Philippine Information Agency-Samar.

Initial investigation also revealed that while the mayor and his escorts were on their way to Barangay Lonoy around 5:30 p.m. onboard a white Toyota Hi-Ace Van, the gunmen, who were onboard two vehicles, peppered them with bullets.

The victims managed to retaliate, resulting in a firefight.

One of the gunmen was also killed, police said.

The incident happened on Laboyao Bridge in Barangay Lonoy.

As of 9 p.m. Monday, March 8, Calbayog police were conducting a hot pursuit operation for possible arrest and identification of the fleeing assailants.

The PRO-Eastern Visayas earlier launched an investigation on the series of killings in the city.

In 2011, Calbayog Mayor Reynaldo Uy was also shot and killed by a still unknown assassin. (With reports from JKDP)