BIFF members tagged in fatal Maguindanao ambush
SUSPECTED members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have been tagged as behind the killing of two policemen and the wounding of four others in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, last June 14, the Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson said.
Colonel Jean Fajardo said that several witnesses interviewed by officers from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region Police Regional Office have identified the suspects who are set to be formally charged with murder, multiple frustrated murder, and direct assault before a local court.
The identities of the gunmen were withheld pending the filing of charges against them.
The suspects ambushed the officers who were on their way to their headquarters in Maguindanao del Sur after a routine patrol around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday last week before fleeing.
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.
Members of the Maguindanao del Sur PPO and the 41st Special Action Company of the PNP-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) were still pursuing the gunmen as of press time.
PNP chief General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. has led the 228,000-strong police force in condemning the Maguindanao del Sur ambush.
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.
