PALO, Leyte-The Philippine National Police (PNP) is eyeing to put closure on the June 25, 2018 Samar “misencounter” within the year as the government continues to extend all necessary assistance to the families of the slain cops.
PNP 8 (Eastern Visayas) Director, Brig. Gen. Dionardo Carlos, said on Wednesday (July 3) that both the police and military are working to settle all cases soon since it was found that the soldiers had no intention to kill the six junior police officers.
“We respect the families and at the end of the day, we will do what’s best for everybody. After extending all the help needed, we hope we can settle the case since there was no intention to attack the policemen. Nobody wanted the incident to happen,” Carlos said.
According to police records, the dependents received P2.49 million financial assistance from the Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund Inc., P1.53 million from the PNP-Special Financial Assistance, and P457,163 from the commutation of accrued leaves.
Each family also got P250,000 for the first tranche of the Presidential Social Fund – Special Financial Assistance; P100,000 from the Civil Service Commission; and P100,000 from PNP Chief, Director General Oscar Albayalde. This is on top of their monthly pension.
The Department of Labor and Employment provided grocery packs while the National Police Commission released gratuity and burial assistance. A scholarship fund is already adjudicated and just waiting for its release.
The national government also extended livelihood and housing grants to the wives of six policemen.
Late last year, Carlos initiated an Evening Fun Run for a cause where the proceeds were turned over to the families of killed policemen.
Philippine Army 8th Infantry Division (ID) Commander, Maj. Gen. Raul Farnacio said in an earlier interview that the incident has not affected the working relationship between the army and policemen.
“In fact, two wives of policemen will enter military service,” he added.
At least six junior police officers were killed and nine others were wounded in a “misencounter” in Sitio Lunoy, San Roque village, Sta. Rita town on June 25, 2018.
Both groups were conducting simultaneous combat operations against the New People’s Army in Sta. Rita. The 20-minute gun battle was stopped after soldiers got a call that they were fighting law enforcers.
Carlos assured that the “misencounter” will never happen again with the strengthened coordination between military and policemen through regular meetings.
(SARWELL Q.MENIANO/PNA)
