POLICE commandos have been told to properly use the bullet-proof vests procured for them.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. earlier called for a review of a police operation in Sta. Margarita, Samar last January 30 which left three policemen dead and four others wounded.

The top cop instructed PNP Director for Logistics Major Gen. Mario A. Reyes to conduct a study on their bullet-proof vests.

“We are going to review this operation in terms of why it resulted in the death of our personnel. It is also something that has to be studied too by our Director for Logistics,” he said.

According to Acorda, he observed the bullet-proof vests used by the slain policemen really protected the officers’ vital organs but still were unable to shield the other delicate parts of their bodies.

“Pag nakita mo yung vests, yung vital organs protected, pero yung tama ng baril is still outside the vests, we can see na medyo maliit (yung vests).

Also the operational procedures, we will look into it, if there’s something we should improve to avoid casualties, especially the equipment and maintenance of equipment,” Gen. Acorda said.

Reyes said their own investigation into the Samar encounter showed the PNP-issued bullet-proof vests really managed to protect the users’ vital organs.

The bullet-proof plate, which has the size of a small bond paper, can withstand a hit from a Garand rifle. The plate on the side can withstand a hit from a caliber .38 revolver.

“However, the main bullet-proof plate can easily take a hit from a cal. 9mm, a .45 and other small arms,” he said.

Other officials who used to be assigned with the elite PNP Special Action Force (SAF) and Regional Mobile Force Battalions (RMFB) told the Journal Group that it has been a practice by many SAF and RMFB personnel to remove the bullet-proof plates in their vest due to its uncomfortable weight.

The official said carrying such a heavy load during an operation, in which they need to walk for kilometers, really proves to be an inconvenience to SAF and RMFB troopers.

The same officer added that he has come across a number of incidents in which their enemies deliberately aimed at unprotected body parts of police commandos, knowing fully well that their bullet-proof vests can save a commando’s life in case he is shot in the chest.

Reyes said that in the Samar encounter, it appeared that the slain and wounded policemen were ‘ambushed’ by their targets.

“Ang mga tama nila sa braso, malapit sa neck, yung mga walang body protection. Sa mga recovered evidence, wala namang bullet penetration yung mga helmet and bullet-proof vests nila,” the official said.

Acorda also questioned the appearance of the ammo casings used by the Samar policemen.

“Nakita ko mga capsules madumi, maaaring ang mga bala hindi nalinisan o baka me mga ammos na underloaded or overloaded,” he said.

The Samar policemen encountered heavily-armed members of the Ampoan Criminal Group in Barangay Mahayag, Sta. Margarita, Samar.

Four of them –Corporals Rannel Pedamato and Mark Jason Sixta and Patrolmen Ham Kritnere Capalis and Mark Redoblado — received the PNP Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting or PNP Wounded Personnel Medal.

The PNP chief also extended his condolences to the families of slain Staff Sergeant Christian Tallo, Master Sgt. Paul Terence Paclibar and Cpl. Eliazar Estrelles Jr.

The three received the posthumous Medalya ng Kadakilaan or PNP Heroism Medal from Gen. Acorda and their families got the financial assistance.

While approaching their targets, the lawmen were met with gunfire from the suspects prompting them to retaliate with caution to avoid hitting civilians in the area.

The firefight lasted for at least 20 minutes and left the three policemen dead and four others wounded.

A hot pursuit operation led to the arrest of the suspects, one of them wanted for two murder cases.

Recovered from the suspects were one AR 15 rifle, one M-16 Baby Armalite, a caliber .45 semi-automatic pistol and several magazines with live ammunition.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon