House Deputy Speaker and Basilan lone Rep. Mujiv Hataman on Wednesday, Aug. 31, condemned “in the strongest terms” the ambush of two policemen and the wounding of three others in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao.
“Ang panawagan ko sa PNP, siyasating mabuti ang insidenteng ito. Papanagutin hindi lamang ang mga aktuwal na (I call on the PNP , thoroughly investigate this incident. Make answerable not only the actual) gunmen, kundi ang utak sa likod ng pagpatay, kasama na ang mga nakakaalam sa mangyayaring krimen (but the mastermind behind the killing, including all those who knew about the crime),” the veteran lawmaker from Mindanao said in a statement.
“At ang apela naman natin sa ating mga komunidad, proteksyunan din natin ang ating mga kapulisan dahil sila ay (Our appeal to our community, protect our police because they are) essential sa pagpapanatili ng (in maintaining the) peace and order sa ating mga lugar (in our surroundings),” he added.
Hataman asked the community in Ampatuan town to help in the investigation to catch the culprits.
The ambush on Tuesday, Aug. 30, killed Police Lt. Reynaldo Samson, the town’s police chief, and his driver, Police Cpl. Salipudin Endab.
Wounded in the attack were Master Sgt. Renante Quinalayo, and Corporals Rogelio dela Cuesta Jr. and Marc Clint Dayaday.
READ: Maguindanao police chief sacked following ambush
Reports said that Samson and his men were on their way to Barangay Kapinpilan around 10 a.m. to serve a warrant of arrest on Kamir Kambal, who is wanted for robbery and intimidation when they were ambushed by a group of gunmen.
The House leader questioned how the gunmen knew about the route that the police would take.
“Ang una kong tanong: may (My first question: is there a) breakdown ba ng (of) peace and order sa lugar? Bakit alam ang ruta at oras ng pagpunta ng mga pulis (in the area? Why do they know the route and the time of the police’s schedule)?,” he asked.
“Labis nating ikinalulungkot ang pangyayaring ito kung saan ang mga nasawi ay miyembro ng ating kapulisan na siyang nagpapatupad ng batas, nagtataguyod ng ating seguridad at nagtatanggol sa ating mamamayan (We are deeply saddened by this incident where the killed are members of our police who implement the law, ensures the security, and defends our fellowmen),” he lamented.
Hataman condoled with the loved ones of those killed and wounded in the ambush, and hoped that the incident would never happen again.