Suspected communist rebels killed a rookie policeman when they ambushed a group of policemen conducting relief distribution in Gandara town of Samar on Saturday, July 16.
Police Brig. Gen. Bernie Banac, director of the Police Regional Office 8, said the policemen were conducting humanitarian activity through distribution of relief goods to the poorest of the poor in at least three barangays in Gandara town in celebration of the Police Community Relations Month when they were waylaid at around 8 a.m.
Banac said the communist rebels suddenly opened fire at the policemen which hit Patrolman Mark Mongre.
“The exchange of gunshots lasted for about five minutes until they withdrew and fled from the area. The rookie cop was hit badly and was brought to the nearest hospital, but he was declared dead upon arrival,” said Banac.
Police Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao, Jr., officer-in-charge of the Philippine National Police (PNP), could not hide his anger over the incident and even raised the issue of human rights which he insinuated as the usual issue being raised by leftist groups against the government.
“Kapag kayo ang gagawa ng kalokohan, walang human rights. Kapag pulis ang pinatay ninyo, wala ding human rights. Ang sarap ninyong pagmumurahin (Whenever you do bad things, there’s no human rights. And if you kill policemen, there’s also no human rights),” said Danao in his speech during the Flag-Raising Ceremony at Camp Crame.
Danao made the statement amid the attempt of some US lawmakers to block assistance to the PNP over human rights issues.
“They are giving assistance to the poorest of the poor, yet you ambushed them. And now you are talking about peace talks? What kind of peace talks is that?,” he added.
Some groups are pushing for the resumption of peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) under the Marcos administration to end the decades-long armed struggle in the country.
Attempts to strike a peace deal with the communist rebels, however, would always bog down.
Danao honored Mongre for his ultimate sacrifice in the name of police service.
For his part, Banac personaly visited the wake of Mongre where he also met with the family of the slain policeman and discussed the assistance of the PNP.