By Mar Gabriel
Eagle News Service
Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde on Thursday, June 28, said investigators were looking into the possibility the Samar “misencounter” between the military and the police was an ambush by members of the Philippine Army.
According to Albayalde, the angle was being investigated as the military appeared to be in an advantage when the incident took place.
“Ang gusto nating makita dito kung alam ba nila na pulis na yan at inambush pa sila o pinagbabaril pa sila at sinabi nila na yung una may tumba agad,” he said.
He said apart from this angle, the Board of Inquiry was also looking at the possibility there was a lack of coordination between the military and the police.
It appears, after all, he said, that the soldiers had already been in the area for five to six days before the police arrived.
“When you entered an area like that, coordination is very important..walang signal at walang SAT phones,” he said.
Although he did not give a deadline for when the probe should have been completed, he said this would be done “as soon as possible.”
“Every day may progress. Until next week tapos iyan,” he said.
Yesterday, Albayalde and Chief of Staff General Carlito Galvez visited the wake of the policemen who were killed in the incident on Monday.
They assured the kin of the slain policemen that justice would be served.