Military, police probing misencounter in Samar where six cops died

June 26, 2018

The military and the police are investigating the death of six policemen during an apparent misencounter with soldiers in Samar on Monday.

Major General Raul Farnacio, commander of 8th Infantry Division where the soldiers belonged, said a joint thorough and impartial investigation is being conducted with the Philippine National Police (PNP).

"The Regional Director PRO8 Chief Supt. Magaway and I directed a joint AFP-PNP investigation on the circumstances surrounding this incident... Commanders of PNP and Army units assessed the situation and the incident to determine some gaps," Farnacio said.

"As we sincerely condole with the families of our brothers in the PNP, we assure the bereaved families that appropriate actions will be taken if there be any lapses committed in either sides. This is to ensure that the incident will not happen again," he added.

Capt. Francis Agno, public affairs chief of the 8th Infantry Division, said the encounter between the elements of the 1stPlatoon, 805th Company, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 8 of PNP and operating troops from 87th Infantry Battalion incidentally occurred in the vicinity of Sitio Lonoy, Barangay San Roque, Sta Rita, Samar around 9:20 am.

"Reports reaching this headquarters said that one platoon minus led by 1Lt Casipit reported that they encountered an armed group at vicinity of Sitio Lonoy and the firefight lasted for about 30 minutes," he said.

"After the skirmishes, 1Lt Casipit and his troops discovered that the unit involved in the encounter belonged to the PNP unit under Police Chief Insp. Suspiñe who also operated on the same location," he added.

Agno said nine policemen were wounded while there was no casualty on the side of the military.

"The wounded PNP personnel were brought to the nearest hospital and dead bodies were recovered jointly by the AFP and PNP," he said. Robina Asido/DMS