Probe sought into encounter

CEBU, Philippines - Philippine National Police Academy Alumni-Region 7 president and Provincial Intelligence Branch chief, Superintendent Rodolfo Albotra, called for a fair investigation into what led to the encounter between the Special Action Force and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Around 800 policemen in Cebu joined the Walk for Sympathy for their fallen comrades, calling for an investigation into the incident where 44 PNP-SAF members were killed.

Policemen walked from the Cebu IT Park to the Police Regional Office-7 where a Mass was offered for those slain.

Policemen in the region also wore black armbands or placed black bands over their badges to show sympathy.

“This is to make our stand that we are one of supporting and sharing our sympathy for the slain policemen,” he added.

When asked about the alleged plan of starting a coup d’état, he said they will always abide by the law.

“Ang among sworn duties mao ang magpaibabaw above all. Di mi magpadala sa among sentiments ana. We will follow with the rules of the law,” he said.

“As of now, we assure na we are in one decision for this matter. Kun unsa ang decision sa organization, it will be the same decision for everybody,” he added.

He said that they are also waiting for the results of the ongoing investigation by the Board of Inquiry. He added that they have faith in the PNP to conduct a thorough and honest investigation and file appropriate charges against those behind the massacre.

“For sure ang higher headquarters sa PNP dili magpabaya aning hitaboa. We lost 44 lives in a single day. We will respect the result of the investigation,” he said.

Albotra also said the MILF should also abide with the procedures taking into account the ongoing peace process. He also believes the MILF is also investigating if some of their members committed violations.

Mactan Police Station chief, Senior Inspector Verniño Noserale, said that his batchmates of the Kaisang Bisig Class of 2009 decided to sport a crew cut to show their grief for policemen, especially three classmates, killed in the encounter.

He identified his three fallen classmates as senior inspectors Max Jim Tria, John Garry Erana and Getnad Tabdi.

“Personally, I love my long hair but I love my classmates na namatay doon more,” Noserale said.

Meanwhile, civilians led by the Movement of Livable Cebu and members of the Cebu City Police Office lighted candles and offered prayers at the Plaza Independencia last night for those killed.

Tarpaulins showing the photographs and names of the slain SAF members were also put up in police offices in Cebu where the public may light candles and offer flowers.

COMING HOME

The bodies of the two Cebuano SAF members will be arriving home today.

Arrival honors will be given to PO1 Windel Candano, of Lawaan, Dumanjug; and PO1 Romeo Cempron of Tayud, Consolacion, at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport this morning.

Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia said the bodies will arrive around 7 a.m. onboard a Philippine Airlines flight. He said the town officials and police officers will be at the airport to honor the two.

“I salute them, I consider them as heroes. Sila gyud nag-protect nato. Noble kaayo ang ilang gibuhat, angay saludohan,” he said.

Garcia also said that the town will extend P20,000 financial assistance to the bereaved family of Candano. He said that he is eyeing to increase the amount with the council’s approval.

Meanwhile, Provincial Information Officer Ethel Natera Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III will attend the arrival honors.

“All of us, the Cebuanos, we sympathize with the PNP organization. We feel the same. We hope this would not happen again…  Everybody is affected. I am also affected. Ang ato lang is let us pray for each other, draw strength from each other and learn from the incident,” Davide said in a press conference yesterday.

The brave 44

A former SAF member said he does not want the dead SAF members called “the fallen.”

“We do not call them The Fallen, we call then The Brave 44,” said Senior Superintendent Conrad Capa, deputy regional director for operations of the Police Regional Office-7.

Capa said he has been emotional for the past two days after he learned of the Mamasapano clash.

He stressed that while the entire police force mourns the deaths of the Brave 44, the local police should focus their anger into catching criminals. —/BRP (FREEMAN)