2 cops killed, 4 injured in Maguindanao ambush
STILL unidentified gunmen ambushed a group of policemen who were on their way to their headquarters in Maguindanao del Sur after a routine patrol around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, killing two officers and injuring four others before fleeing, officials said yesterday.
Killed in the attack along a highway in Barangay Poblacion in Shariff Aguak municipality were Patrolmen Saipoden Shiek Macacuna and Bryan Polayagan, while wounded were Pat. Pat Arjie Val Louie Pabinguit, Pat. Abdulgafor Alib, Staff Sergeant Benjie delos Reyes, and Chief Master Sgt. Rey Vincent Gertos.
All are members of the Maguindanao del Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) who were on board a marked police vehicle and on their way to the Maguindanao Police Provincial Office (PPO) headquarters in Camp Datu Akilan in Shariff Aguak after conducting patrol when they were ambushed.
Macacuna was shot twice in the left torso, while Polayagan suffered three gunshot wounds on the right torso.
Pabinguit was shot in his right leg, right forearm, and left arm, while Alib sustained a bullet wound on the left arm. Delos Reyes suffered gunshot wounds on his left thigh and left knee, while Gertos was shot in his left jaw and face.
Following the attack, members of the Maguindanao del Sur PPO and the 41st Special Action Company (SAC) of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) were immediately sent to conduct a hot pursuit operation against the fleeing suspects.
PNP chief General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. also led the 228,000-strong police force in condemning the Maguindanao del Sur ambush.
“The men and women of the Philippine National Police show grief over the untimely passing of our two Police Non-Commissioned Officers and the wounding of four other PNCOs stationed in Maguindanao del Sur in an ambush staged by still unknown assailants on Wednesday night,” said the top cop.
“Our heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family of the late Pat. Macacuna and Pat. Polayagan. We assure you that the PNP will do everything within its power and authority to serve the ends of justice for the slain policemen and the four others wounded,” he added.
Acorda said he is highly confident that the Maguindanao del Sur PPO and the PNP-SAF will be able to get the gunmen as soon as possible.
“This inhumane act of the unidentified suspects while our personnel (is) conducting (a) routinary mobile patrol to ensure the safety and security of everybody is a loud call to the community that we should work hand-in-hand to eradicate this kind of criminal act,” said the PNP chief.
Acorda said that while the manhunt for the killers and the investigation into the attack is still ongoing, the PNP will be extending all possible assistance to the families of the two slain policemen as well as the four wounded.
He said that they will be ensuring that all benefits will be immediately released to the families of the two slain officers. He also ordered the Bangsamoro Administrative Region Police Regional Office to ensure that all necessary medical assistance will be provided to the wounded policemen for their immediate recovery.
“This case will not go unsolved and punishment is certain for those responsible for this heinous crime,” Acorda said.
