Roque: President claimed responsibility for Samar misencounter “to end blame game”

(Eagle News)–Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Sunday, July 1, said President Rodrigo Duterte claimed responsibility for the Samar misencounter to “end the blame game.”

“Spoken like a true leader. The buck stops with him,” Roque said.

Six policemen were killed on Monday after the Philippine Army’s  87th Infantry Battalion shot at members of the 805th Mobile Company, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 8 of the Philippine National Police who were after Communist rebels in Barangay San Roque on Monday.

A Board of Inquiry is conducting an investigation into the incident that also left several injured.

“It’s an unfortunate incident which should not happen again,” Roque said.

He said “closer coordination can be expected between the AFP  and the PNP in future ground combat operations.”