MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Police Lieutenant General Vicente Danao Jr. on Monday condemned communist rebels over a recent ambush in Samar that resulted in the death of a police officer who was part of a team extending aid to residents in the area.
Patrolman Mark Monge was killed on Saturday morning during an encounter with suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the boundaries of Barangay San Nicolas of San Jose de Buan town and Barangay Mabuhay of Gandara town.
Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr., acting PNP officer-in-charge (Photo from the Facebook page of the PNP)
Danao said a group of police officers in the area were distributing aid to residents when they were “ambushed” by the rebels.
“Another personnel of ours who at that moment is in the process of distributing goods to our poorest of the poor kababayans. Nagconduct sila ng mga ayuda, mga medical mission sa ating mga kababayan doon sa Region 8,” he said during the PNP flag-raising ceremony.
(They were giving away aid and were on a medical mission in the area.)
“Nakakalungkot lang isipin na itong mga loko na kaliwang grupo, eh anak ng…. Why would you ambush our people there giving civic, pagbibigay ng ayuda sa area?” he added.
(It’s saddening that these leftist groups ambushed them. Why would you ambush our people extending assistance to the people.)
“Anak ng… Ang sarap niyong pagmumurahin. Ang tao, nandoon, nagko-community relations, inambush niyo. Sarap magmura, sa totoo lang. Nakakasama ng loob. Ganyan ba ang gusto niyong gobyerno na makita ninyo? Alam niyo kung pwede lang baligtadin ng gobyerno, ako ang aambush mismo sa inyo,” Danao continued.
(I want to curse you. The police were there doing community relations activities then you ambushed them. It’s very disheartening. Is that the kind of government you want? You know, if the tables can be turned, I will ambush you myself.)
Danao asked police officers in attendance at the flag raising rite to offer a few seconds of prayer for their fallen colleague who “offered the supreme sacrifice in maintaining the peace and order of our grateful nation.”
He then told police to be extra careful and vigilant when conducting operations on the field.