A Facebook post by the Mati City government demands justice for Barangay Matiao Chairperson Ronnie Valera, who was shot by an assailant inside his residence on April 13, 2022.
DAVAO CITY – The mayor of Mati City in Davao Oriental has offered PHP500,000 to anyone who can provide information pertaining to the identity of Barangay Matiao village chief Ronnie Valera's assailant.
"I decided to provide reward money to further encourage people to approach the authorities and provide information of the assailant," Mati Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat said in a statement Tuesday.
Valera, 57, was shot while resting on a hammock inside his residence around 8:30 p.m. on April 13.
He sustained a gunshot wound to the head and was declared dead at the Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center.
Authorities recovered three empty shells from a .45-caliber pistol at the crime scene.
Rabat earlier condemned the murder of Valera, one of the mayor's political supporters.
“I condemn this act of violence. My deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of Kap Ronnie Valera,” she said.
Rabat also assured that justice will be served to the family.
"I want you to know that we will not stop seeking justice for Kap Valera and his family. This is a first, and we don’t want it to happen again," she added.
Meanwhile, Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang organized a task force mandated to fast-track the investigation of the killing of Valera.
In a separate statement Tuesday, Dayanghirang said the task force was composed of the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the National Bureau of Investigation.
In addition, the governor ordered security forces to beef up safety measures by increasing police and military visibility in the province. (PNA)
