PNP Probe Body Formed to Look into Samar “Misencounter”

PAGADIAN CITY (June 27, 2018) - The Philippine National Police mourns the loss of six police rookies in Eastern Visayas who were killed by “friendly fire” in a “misencounter” with government troops Monday (June 25).

“I extend the deepest sympathy of the PNP to the families of the six young men who died in that unfortunate incident in Sta. Rita, Samar. Even as I assure the surviving kin of all possible assistance of the PNP to ease their grief, including a full dress investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident,” PNP Chief, Director General Oscar D Albayalde said.

The Chief PNP has instructed Eastern Visayas PNP Director, PCSUPT Mariel Magaway to facilitate the processing and speedy release of all benefits due to the families of the deceased PNP members from the 805th Mobile Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-8.

He also instructed Magaway to attend to the medical needs of PNP personnel wounded in the incident.

At the same time, he directed all concerned PNP Units to extend utmost cooperation and assistance to the Special Investigation Task Group that was created to conduct a fact-finding investigation of the incident in coordination with AFP counterparts. (By JONG CADION with PNP-PIO PR)