Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. visited the wake in Muntinlupa of Lt. Reynaldo Samson, the chief of the Ampatuan Municipal Police Station who was ambushed and killed by armed men in Maguindanao on Aug. 30.
Samson’s remains arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Thursday, Sept. 1, and were brought to the Divine Mercy Viewing Chapels in Barangay Tunasan, Muntinlupa.
On Aug. 30, Samson and other police officers were on their way to serve a warrant of arrest in Barangay Kapinpin in Ampatuan, Maguindanao when they were ambushed by armed men.
Samson and Cpl. Salipuden Endab were killed while Cpl. Rogelio Dela Cuesta Jr. and Cpl. Marc Clint Dayaday were wounded.
“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 surrounding and report any suspicious-looking men in their area,” Azurin had earlier said.
According to the PNP, the warrant of arrest was to be served against Kamir Kambal alias Meds for robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons in violation of Article 294 of the Revised Penal Code under Criminal Case No. 953.
“They were fulfilling their duties as law enforcers when confronted with such violent action. Their loyalty to their commitment to serve and protect the nation will be remembered,” said Azurin.
The PNP awarded Samson and Endab the “Medalya ng Kadakilaan” (Heroism Medal).
Samson attended Alabang Elementary School and Pedro E. Diaz High School, both located in Muntinlupa, and graduated from the city-run Muntinlupa Polytechnic College (MPC), now the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa (PLMun).
He served as a faculty member of PLMun’s College of Arts and Sciences, was a member of the PLMun Board of Regents, and president of the MPC-PLMun Alumni Association.