By Phoebe Salvador
Eagle News Service
(Eagle News) — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of National Defense (DND) will hold a joint probe into the alleged “misencounter” between army troopers and police operatives in Samar.
DILG OIC-Secretary Eduardo M. Año said in a statement on Tuesday, June 26, that a board of inquiry will be formed to determine the lack of prior communication and coordination between local military and police forces in the conduct of combat operations in the area.
“There are existing protocols between the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in field operations. We will try to determine why these were not followed and if these need review and modifications,” he said.
On Monday morning, June 25, elements of the Philippine Army’s 87th Infantry Battalion had a misencounter with members of the 805th Mobile Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 8 as they were conducting simultaneous combat operations in Sta. Rita and Villareal towns.
The DILG reported that six police officers were killed while nine others were wounded.
“We are really very saddened by this incident as both troops were just doing their jobs of going against lawless elements and protecting the community,” Año said.
Año also expressed his condolences to the bereaved families of the slain cops as he assured them of the immediate release of financial assistance due them under the Comprehensive Social Benefits Program (CSBP).
“I have already given specific instructions to the PMO to expedite the release of the benefits and assistance to help you cope in this hour of bereavement,” he said.