(Photo courtesy of DILG)
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has feted two police officers who were killed in an attack in Ampatuan, Maguindanao province while they are about to serve a warrant of arrest against a wanted person.
Killed in Tuesday's ambush were Lt. Reynaldo Samson, Ampatuan town police chief; and his aide-driver, Cpl. Salipudin Endab.
PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. and Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. visited Samson's wake at a funeral home.
Samson and Endab were conferred with Medalya ng Kadakilaan (Heroism Medal) for their conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.
Azurin said the remains of Samson will be flown to his hometown in Muntinlupa City.
Samson and other police officers went to Barangay Kapinpilan, Ampatuan town to serve a warrant of arrest against a certain Kamir Kambal at around 10 a.m. when they were waylaid along a dirt road.
In a Palace briefing, Azurin offered a moment of silence for the two hero cops.
"Sila ay mga bayani ng ating henerasyon na handang magsakripisyo para sa ating kapayapaan. Tayo ay mag-alay ng isang minutong panalangin para sa ating mga bagong bayani (They are the heroes of our generation who sacrificed for our peace. Let us offer a minute of prayer for our new heroes)," he added.
Wounded in the incident are Senior M/Sgt. Reynante Quinalayo, Cpl. Rogelio Dela Cuesta, and Cpl. Marc Clint Dayaday who are all confined at a hospital in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat.
The three wounded police officers received the Medalya ng Kadakilaan at Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting (PNP Wounded Personnel Medal) from Azurin and Abalos who visited them at the hospital.
“They are worthy of our praises for the dedication they displayed in fighting criminality. Their sacrifices will not be put in vain as the PNP vows to pursue the perpetrators and make them legally liable for their actions,” Azurin said.
Reciprocate peace efforts
Azurin, meanwhile, called on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to cooperate with the government in going after lawless elements in Mindanao.
This came following reports that police officers still need to secure permission from the group before it can conduct anti-criminality operations in its territories.
“Ang pinasok ng ating kapulisan is an MILF territory and sinasabi nila doon na kailangan pala nagpapaalam pala ang ating kapulisan, kasundaluhan kung papasok doon that's why on my own I really question that because there is only one PNP, there is only one AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and we are here to serve yung ating mga kababayan bakit po nila lilimitahan o bakit kailangan magpaalam ang ating kapulisan doon (Our police force entered the MILF territory and they are saying that it is necessary to ask permission from the MILF first before the police and military can enter. That's why on my own I really question that because there is only one PNP, there is only one AFP and we are here to serve our countrymen why do they limit or why do our police have to asked or inform them),” Azurin said.
Azurin said it is about time for the MILF, whose some members are part of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), to show its sincerity in the peace process.
“It seems that these wanted persons are in their area. If our law enforcers will need to seek permission first, what is the probability of them being able to catch these criminals? Since they were already appointed, they should help catch these criminals because they are already part of the government. So yun po yung ating hinihingi sa ating mga kasamahan doon sa peace process na ito (So this is what we are asking from our counterparts in the peace process) -- to show some sincerity to this government as well),” Azurin noted. (PNA)
