TWO police officers were killed during an armed confrontation with suspected illegal loggers in San Isidro, Northern Samar Saturday evening, September 26, 2020.

The fatalities were identified as Patrolman Jessie Golondrina, 29, from Lavezares, Northern Samar and Patrolman Fernando Velarde, 25, from Matuguinao, Samar.

Both were personnel from the 2nd Maneuver Platoon, 803rd Regional Mobile Force Company Battalion.

A boat captain, identified as Edwin Erenia, was also wounded during the encounter.

In an initial investigation, the police were responding to an illegal logging activity around 10:40 p.m. Saturday along the sea off Barangay Buenavista of the said town when they were met by armed men that resulted in a firefight.

The Police Regional Office-Eastern Visayas has created a factfinding committee to conduct an in-depth investigation of the incident. (SunStar Philippines)