ILIGAN City — A senior operative of the Regional Special Operations Unit (RSOU) was gunned down Monday night while attending a wake in Barangay Tipanoy, here, in what investigators are calling a work-related attack.
The victim, identified as Police Chief Master Sgt. Mark Hermoso, was shot around 11 pm.
Police Maj. Zandrex Panolong, spokesperson for the Iligan City Police Office (ICPO), said the killing appears connected to Hermoso’s police work, though the specific motive remains under investigation.
Hermoso was ambushed by a suspect on a motorcycle who fired several shots from a .45-caliber pistol. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed by witnesses to a nearby hospital, but was declared dead on arrival.
The suspect fled the scene immediately after the shooting.
The ICPO is currently reviewing CCTV footage and seeking witnesses to identify the gunman. The Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) team has processed the area and recovered evidence.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the family of our fallen personnel,” said ICPO City Director Col. Jerry A. Tambis.
Tambis urged the public to cooperate with authorities to ensure peace and order in the city as the manhunt
Sidebar: What is the RSOU? By Gold Star Daily Research
THE killing of a member of the Regional Special Operations Unit (RSOU) highlights the high-risk nature of this specific police assignment.
Unlike regular beat patrol officers or precinct-based police who handle general peace and order, the RSOU operates directly under the Police Regional Office (PRO).
They are an elite operating arm often tasked with handling:High-Impact Cases: Crimes that affect public safety on a regional scale.
Specialized Intelligence: Surveillance and tracking of high-value targets.
Organized Crime: Operations against syndicates involved in illegal drugs, gambling, and loose firearms.
Because their work often involves disrupting major criminal enterprises and executing sensitive warrants, RSOU operatives face a significantly higher threat level than standard personnel.Investigators citing a “work-related motive” in an RSOU killing usually suggests the attack was a retaliatory move by criminal elements affected by the unit’s operations.
