OFFICIALS of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Eastern Visayas have started preparing documents for the filing of charges against those behind the "treacherous attack" of seven policemen and 13 civilians in Borongan City, Eastern Samar on December 13, 2019.
"We are now on the process of collecting and consolidating our evidences which would lead us to pinning down those people behind the attack," said Colonel Marvin Manuel Pepino, PRO-Eastern Visayas acting deputy regional director for administration.
In a press conference on Monday, December 16, PRO-Eastern Visayas officials said they are determined to give justice to the ambush victims.
Lieutenant Colonel Ma. Bella Rentuaya, regional police spokesperson, added that their in-depth investigation on the incident "is still ongoing."
Earlier, Lieutenant General Archie Gamboa, officer-in-charge of the Philippine National Police (PNP), conferred the posthumous "Medalya ng Kadakilaan" (PNP Heroism Medal) to Patrolman Mark Jerome Rama, who died in the attack.
"Although I am deeply saddened by the death of one of our comrades and even innocent civilians, we must not let this dishearten our efforts in fighting against these terrorists. Instead, we will be doubling our efforts to run after them and let them face the consequence," said Gamboa after visiting the wake of Rama where he also handed financial assistance to the bereaved family.
The official also conferred "Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting" (PNP Wounded Medal) to Patrolman Angelito Loterte, Patrolman Kevin Operario, Patrolman Rey SobrepeƱa, and Patrolman Ric Capoquian Jr.
During his visit on Sunday, December 15, Gamboa assured the injured cops and their families that the PNP will shoulder all their hospital expenses.
"The PRO-Eastern Visayas is doing its best to facilitate the speedy processing of all other benefits under the Comprehensive Social Benefit Program intended for the Killed-in Police Operation and Wounded-in Police Operations to somehow lessen the grief of the family for losing their loved one in such an unfortunate circumstance," added Brigadier General Ferdinand Divina, police regional director.
Meanwhile, Borongan Mayor Dayan Agda said their local government unit is allocating P280,000 as financial assistance to the ambush victims.
At least two civilians and 11 others were wounded in the attack.
In a statement, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said it will launch an independent investigation, noting that there were reports claiming that students were involved in the incident.
"We denounce such act of deliberate and arbitrary killing by the armed opposition group as the use of disproportionate and indiscriminate force in armed conflicts is a direct violation of the international humanitarian law," said CHR Spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia.
The ambush in Borongan by suspected members of the New People's Army happened in the wake of the announcement of President Rodrigo Duterte on the revival of peace talks with the communist rebels. (SunStar Philippines)