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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Why the chief of police of Ampatuan, Maguidanao was ambushed

Why the chief of police of Ampatuan, Maguidanao was ambushed

Published Aug 31, 2022 04:07 pm

A week before the Maguindanao ambush on Tuesday, Aug. 30, that led to the death of Ampatuan police chief Police Lt. Reynaldo Samson, the local police have already gathered intelligence reports about the liquidation plan against the police official by a commander of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF).

The reason, BIFF commander Abdulnasser Sabtulah Guianid and his men allegedlyt got mad at Samson for the sudden strict implementation of traffic rules in Ampatuan and other laws and ordinance in the town as part of the anti-crime preventive measures.

The alleged liquidation plan was contained in a report submitted to the top police brass in Maguindanao on Aug. 23.

The group of Guinaid, backed by another BIFF leader named Commander Black, got the opportunity to strike when Santos led his men in the conduct of One-Time, Big-Time operation that include serving of an arrest warrant against wanted persons monitored in the town.

Santos and Police Corporal Salipuden Endab, the driver of the police car, died on the spot when the gunmen started shooting the police vehicle. The attack also resulted in the wounding of two more policemen.

Pursuit and legal offensive

PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. said they are now exerting all efforts to locate the gunmen through police forces deployed as tracker teams.

The PNP is now also preparing criminal charges against those responsible.

“We already have the identity of the suspects and our personnel are working double time to bring justice to where it should be. We ask for the public to be vigilant in their sorrounding and report any suspicious-looking men in their area,” said Azurin.

Sacked

The director of the Maguindanao Police Provincial Office was replaced but Police Brig. Gen. John Guyguyon said the relief has nothing to do with the ambush.

Police Col. Christopher Panapan was replaced by Police Col. Roel Sermese as the new top cop of Maguindanao.

"He was relieved but not because of the ambush incident but a regular process in our organization," said Guyguyon.

"Way before the incident happened, he was slated for an exclusive position at the Regional Headquarters having been a provincial director twice to give chance to other officers," he added.

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