PNP-Eastern Visayas forms task force to probe Samar ‘misencounter’

PALO, Leyte, June 26  -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Army are jointly investigating the misencounter that killed six rookie policemen and wounded nine others in San Roque village, Sta. Rita, Samar Monday morning.

In a press briefing Tuesday morning at the PNP regional office here, both PNP Eastern Visayas Acting Regional Director Chief Supt. Mariel Magaway and Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division Commander Major Gen. Raul Farnacio said the encounter between soldiers and policemen was an accident.

“The commander of Army and I directed a joint investigation on the circumstances surrounding the incident. We will find out the lapses and see how we can strengthen coordination efforts,” Magaway told reporters.

On top of this, the PNP regional office formed a special task force to investigate the clash. A team from PNP national headquarters also arrived Tuesday afternoon to conduct initial probe, said Magaway.

“After the incident, soldiers have been asked to report to the headquarters of Army 87th Infantry Battalion for questioning and ballistic test of their firearms. They will be sanctioned if there are lapses,” Farnacio said.

At least 17 members of the Philippine Army 87th Infantry Battalion had a misencounter with 33 members of the 805th Mobile Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion Region 8 past 9 a.m. on Monday.

Both groups were conducting simultaneous combat operations against the New People's Army in Sta. Rita town.

The 20-minute gun battle was stopped after soldiers got a call that they’re fighting law enforcers.

The soldiers were already in the area for six days after receiving intelligence report on the sightings of 20 armed rebels in Sta. Rita and Pinabacdao towns, according to Farnacio.

The team from PNP, trained to fight insurgency, was conducting their regular minor patrol operations in a heavily forested area of the village for two days.

"Actions will be taken if there were lapses committed by any side. This is to ensure this incident will not happen again," Magaway added.

Farnacio admitted that the nearest army detachment in Anibongon village was informed of the presence of patrolling police, but wonder why coordinated information failed to reach the troopers on the ground.

Magaway assured that working relationships between the military and police will not be affected by this incident. “This is an accident and nobody wanted this to happen. We will remain close with our army counterparts.” (SQM/PNA)