PNP spots lapses on Maguindanao ambush, urges perpetrators to surrender

The Philippine National Police (PNP) looked into possible administrative lapses and has called on the perpetrators to surrender following the ambush at Maguindanao del Sur provincial PNP headquarters in Shariff Aguak on March 28.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. described the “dark” area close to the provincial police headquarters where the five policemen were killed and three others were wounded.

“The Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is looking into whether there was an administrative lapse on the part of the provincial director, considering that the area was very dark. Why did we have no deployment in that location?” he said in a press briefing on March 30.

The chief asked about the absence of the detachment at the headquarters, leading to the “blind curve” site of the ambush.

“The regional director is asking why the substation or detachment that used to be there is no longer in place,” he added.

The PNP is also investigating the possible connection of the incident to the upcoming elections.

Meanwhile, the initial finding pointed out to local terrorist groups composed of 10-armed men.

“Based on the initial assessment of the Bangsamoro regional police director, there are individuals who are the subject of ongoing operations in connection with the killing of our PNP personnel,” Tuaño reported.

On the other hand, The Bangsamoro regional police has organized a special task force for further investigation of the incident, especially determining the attackers.

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief Minister Abdulrauf Macacua urged the assailants behind the ambush to surrender to authority.

“We will run after you. We in the Bangsamoro government will wield our authority and help [the] police locate all of you. The local government units in Maguindanao del Sur are helping us achieve that goal so better surrender now while there is still time,” he warned.

The ambush involved members of the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company who were on their way home from a patrol operation at Barangay Mother Poblacion. 

The national police force will aid the hospital bills and provide financial assistance to the affected victims, while the slain police will receive posthumous awards.