Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur’’ Abalos has extended assistance to the family of a police captain who was killed in Maguindanao, two of his assailants are policemen.
During his visit to the family, Abalos also awarded the slain cop with medal and informed his fmaily that he was posthumously promoted.
On May 2, Moralde was killed while trying to disarm suspect Mohiden Ramalan Untal after seeing a pistol tucked in his waist in a market in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte.
Abalos was joined by PNP Chief Police General Rommel Francisco D Marbil, PNP Director for Records and Management Police Major General Sidney S Hernia, Director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) Police Brigadier General Prexy Tanggawohn and other senior officials of the police organization to offer their condolences and support to the bereaved family.
“We mourn the passing of a dedicated officer, whose valor and commitment to duty exemplify the finest traditions of the Philippine National Police. PCPT Moralde’s sacrifice will not be forgotten, and his memory will continue to inspire us all,” said Marbil.
In the aftermath of the incident, the Philippine National Police (PNP) filed criminal and administrative charges against two police master sergeants who were identified as among those shot Moralde dead as the slain cop engaged their relatives in a shootout.
Moralde responded to a call that Untal was carrying a gun at the public market that eventually led to a shoutout between the two.
During the exchange of gunfire, five relatives of Untal joined him and bombarded the wounded Moralde with gunshots.
In an earlier statement, the PNP said that the two cops are now detained in a Maguindanao police station while three of the relatives who shot Moralde remain at large and now are the subject of the police manhunt.
Moralde was a member of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Regional Mobile Force Company 14.