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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Acorda orders manhunt vs Ampuan Gang

Acorda orders manhunt vs Ampuan Gang

Published Feb 3, 2024 05:01 am

CALBAYOG CITY – Philippine National Police chief Police Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. has ordered a manhunt against the Ampuan Criminal Group following an encounter on January 30 in Santa Margarita, Samar where three police officers were killed and four were wounded.

READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/31/7-gang-members-nabbed-in-samar-clash

ACORDA MEDAL.jpg

PNP chief Police Brig. Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. awards a medal to a police officer slain in an encounter in Santa Margarita, Samar, early this week. (Contributed photo) 

“It appears that this group is very notorious. We should run after them and there should be no letup of police operations against them,” Acorda told Police Regional Office-8 (Eastern Visayas) head Police Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Pawid said during his visit to the slain and wounded policemen in the service of warrants of arrest against Edito Ampuan Jr. and his group.

Acorda added that what had happened during the operation should be an encouragement to run after Ampuan's group.

“We should not condone their actions or give one way or another give protection to them whoever in politics is behind them. Let us not turn our backs and run after criminals even if they are protected by politics or big personalities.”

He challenged lawmen not to side with politicians during his "Talk to Men" on Friday even if they are backed by gun-for-hire groups in Samar.

"Criminals are criminals. We don't care if those gun-for-hire groups are backed by politicians. I'll be at your back. If there are people who need to be served with search warrants whoever is protecting them, we will run after them. If you want, I will personally lead you to operate. Enough of protecting those gun-for-hire groups. They should not have a place here in this region."

The PNP chief said that private armed group are always prepared and they have been involved in assassinations and gun-for-hire activities.

“During the conduct of the operation, the configuration of the houses had tunnels. They really fought against the police force, very notorious," he said.

Acorda said they are going to review that they learned from the operation to rectify any errors.

He said the encounter should serve as a lesson to the police organization.

"It really hurts that there are lives lost but no amount of words, no money or material things can bring their lives back but I hope that what had happened here could serve as a lesson for everyone in conducting or doing troop leading procedures. Every life is important."

The PRO-8 had earlier provided cash assistance to the families of the slain police officers.

READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/1/pro-8-assists-families-of-3-cops-slain-in-samar-clash

Killed-in-action in the gun fight were Police Staff Sgt. Christian Tallo of the 1st Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company, Police Corporal Eliazar Estrelles Jr. of the 1st SPMFC, and Police Master Sgt. Paul Terence Paclibar of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-8.

Wounded were Police Corporal Rannel Pedamato, Police Corporal Mark Jason Sixta, Police Patrolman Ham Kritnere Capalis, and Police Patrolman Mark Redoblado, all from the 1st SPMFC.

Related Tags

Encounter Santa Margarita Samar province Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. Deaths
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