Wife of cop who died in Pampanga op blames policeman for his death

Philippine National Police

MANILA, Philippines — The wife of the police officer who was killed during a rescue operation for kidnap victims in Pampanga said a policeman shot her husband.

According to police reports, members of the Philippine National Police’s Anti-Kidnapping Group were conducting a rescue operation for two abducted Chinese nationals on Aug. 3 in Angeles City when the shooting ensued.

READ: Cop dies in gunfight with Chinese men who allegedly abducted compatriots

Staff Sergeant Nelson Santiago was hit and later pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital, while Police Chief Master Sergeant Eden Accede was wounded.

“Sobrang sakit para sa pamilya ko, mahal na mahal niya trabaho niya tapos ang papatay lang din sa kanya ay katropa niya po,” Santiago’s wife, Mary Rose, said in an interview with DZBB.

(It was painful for my family after we learned that he was shot by his fellow policeman because he loved his job.)

When asked if her information came from the police, Mary Rose said “no,” adding that her family and relatives conducted their information gathering on the case.

“Lunes (Aug. 5) ko na po nalaman dahil di nila ako makausap nung Sabado (Aug. 3) hanggang Linggo (Aug. 4), dun ko lang nalaman na nay nalamang hocus pocus sa pagkamatay ng asawa ko na ayaw nila ilabas sa publiko,” she explained.

(On Aug. 5, I learned about the hocus pocus related to my husband’s death that they don’t want to publicize.)

Citing her husband’s death certificate, Mary Rose said Santiago sustained one gunshot wound on the left side of his body coming from an M16 rifle’s bullet.

She asked the Philippine National Police (PNP) for justice for her husband’s death.

INQUIRER.net sought the side of the PNP but it has yet to reply as of posting time.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said in a press briefing last Friday that they are investigating whether Santiago’s death is a case of “friendly fire.”

Being hit with friendly fire means the bullet came from one’s side and not the enemy.

“Kung mapapatunayan na nanggaling sa friendly fire yung pagkapatay sa pulis definitely mananagot ito. Yun po yung commitment na ibinigay ng ating chief PNP na mananagot kung sino man ang nakapatay at nakasugat regardless kung saan nanggaling ito,” Fajardo said.

(If we prove that this is a case of friendly fire then the person behind this will be liable for it. That’s the commitment of our PNP chief regardless of who killed Santiago.)

Earlier, PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil honored the police officers involved in the rescue operation.

Marbil awarded Santiago the Medalya ng Kadakilaan for his bravery and dedication. The PNP also extended financial assistance to Santiago’s bereaved family.