MANILA, Philippines – Ipinag-utos ni Philippine National Police chief Police Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. ang manhunt laban sa Ampuan Criminal Group kasunod ng engkwentro noong Enero 30 sa Santa Margarita, Samar kung saan tatlong pulis ang napatay habang apat naman ang sugatan.
“It appears that this group is very notorious. We should run after them and there should be no letup of police operations against them,” sinabi ni Acorda kay Police Regional Office-8 (Eastern Visayas) head Police Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Pawid nang bumisita ito sa mga nasawi at sugatang pulis.
Maghahain sana ng warrants of arrest ang mga pulis laban kay Edito Ampuan Jr. at grupo nito.
“We should not condone their actions or give one way or another give protection to them whoever in politics is behind them. Let us not turn our backs and run after criminals even if they are protected by politics or big personalities.”
Hinamon niya rin ang mga awtoridad na huwag pumanig sa mga politiko kahit na sila ay suportado pa ng gun-for-hire groups sa Samar.
“Criminals are criminals. We don’t care if those gun-for-hire groups are backed by politicians. I’ll be at your back. If there are people who need to be served with search warrants whoever is protecting them, we will run after them. If you want, I will personally lead you to operate. Enough of protecting those gun-for-hire groups. They should not have a place here in this region.”
Sinabi ng PNP chief na ang private armed group ay handang laging pumatay at magsagawa ng gun-for-hire activities.
“During the conduct of the operation, the configuration of the houses had tunnels. They really fought against the police force, very notorious,” aniya.
Sinabi pa ni Acorda na susuriin nila ang mga dapat na matutunang pagkakamali sa naturang operasyon.
Magsisilbing aral din sa kabuuan ng pulisya ang nangyaring engkwentro.
“It really hurts that there are lives lost but no amount of words, no money or material things can bring their lives back but I hope that what had happened here could serve as a lesson for everyone in conducting or doing troop leading procedures. Every life is important.” RNT/JGC
