By Marie Tonette Grace Marticio and Nestor Abrematea
Catbalogan City – The Army’s Eighth Infantry Division (8th ID) has assured on Saturday the families of the six policemen, who were killed in a misencounter in Sitio Lonoy, Barangay San Roque in Sta. Rita, Samar last Monday, that an investigation on the incident will be “objective and transparent” and that “appropriate action” will be imposed on those found to have committed lapses or violated the rules of engagement.
“We assure the public that the 8th ID will cooperate fully during the conduct of the investigation of the Board of Inquiry. We will be objective and transparent to shed light on the incident and will make appropriate actions thereafter to those who will be proven to have committed any lapses or violated established rules and regulations,” a letter sent to media yesterday by Capt. Francis Agno, 8th ID Public Affairs Officer, said.
A Board of Inquiry (BOI), composed of personnel from the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Army Headquarters, and 8th ID, has been formed to investigate the incident, especially on the level of coordination between the parties involved.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF – President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to one of the policemen who was wounded in an alleged misencounter with Army soldiers in Sta. Rita, Samar last June 25. Duterte visited the wounded still recovering at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center in Tacloban City last Friday. (Malacanang Photo)
“We will expedite the conduct of the investigation so that the truth will be established and ease the burden of sorrow of the bereaved families,” the letter said.
This developed as President Rodrigo Roa Duterte visited the wake of the slain policemen from the 805th Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion in Region 8 in Tacloban on Friday, and took the blame for the misencounter as Commander-in-Chief.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, kalimutan na lang ninyo. Total, hindi naman sinasadya” At you know, the Murphy’s Law operates the way it is. If things can go wrong, it will go wrong,” he said.
He also asked the families to “forget the hurt, allow the investigation to go on, and see what develops in the future.”
Raychel Escalo, widow of the late PO1 Julie Escalo of Balangiga, Eastern Samar, said she personally sought the help of Duterte to attain justice for her husband.
“We want justice for my husband. He did not promise us and instead he just told me that accident really happens,” Rachel told members of the media who interviewed her after the meeting with the President.
Mrs. Escalo said it was painful for her as she has two children to care for.
“The amount given to us by President Duterte is immaterial as what we want is justice,” Mrs. Escalo said.
She received R255,000 cash from President Duterte placed in two small envelopes.
Escalo said President Duterte promised education for her two children.