By CESAR JOLITO III

The family of a man accused of killing a police officer during an anti-drug operation is calling for an independent autopsy, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding his death while authorities disclose his extensive criminal record.

Ronilo Panoncial, 32 years old, died on April 11 at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, two days after he allegedly shot Police Master Sergeant Romulo Galvez, Jr. during a police operation in Barangay Singcang-Airport on April 9.

According to Panoncial’s family, initial medico-legal findings suggested that his death may have been caused by a blood clot in the brain.

However, his relatives are seeking an autopsy to independently verify the exact cause of death, citing concerns over the delay in his transfer to the hospital following the incident.

The suspect’s mother also questioned the condition of his body upon arrival at the hospital, claiming it was already unrecognizable.

As of writing, authorities have yet to publicly release an official cause of death.

Police, meanwhile, revealed that Panoncial had a long-standing criminal history spanning more than a decade.

Records show he had been involved in multiple offenses since 2011, including direct assault, alarms and scandals, physical injuries, robbery, malicious mischief, and violations of anti-gambling laws.

Authorities further confirmed that Panoncial had an active warrant of arrest at the time of the incident, including a theft case issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 42 in Bacolod City dated March 18, 2025.

The fatal encounter on April 9 occurred outside a motel, where Panoncial allegedly opened fire while attempting to evade arrest, killing Galvez.

Recovered from the suspect during the operation were approximately P48,000 worth of suspected marijuana and a loaded caliber .45 pistol.

Investigations into both the shooting incident and the circumstances surrounding Panoncial’s death remain ongoing./CJ, WDJ