Senator Imee Marcos on Wednesday strongly condemned the deaths of a town police chief and his security aide-slash-driver who were killed in an ambush in Maguindanao last 30 August.
"We condemn in the strongest terms the murder of one of our most gallant and brilliant police officers and his fellow law enforcer, only one day after we celebrated National Heroes' Day," said the lady senator.
"No stone can remain unturned, no effort can be spared to find and punish the perpetrators of this heinous crime," she added.
Marcos' statement comes after Ampatuan town police chief Lieutenant Reynaldo Samson and his security aide-slash-driver, Corporal Salipudin Endab, were killed in an ambush while performing their duties. The ambush also injured M/Sgt. Renante Quinilayo and Cpls. Rogelio de la Cuesta and Marc Clint Dayaday.
Maj. Reggie Abillera, Maguindanao police spokesperson, said Samson and his men were out to arrest in Barangay Kapinpilan a certain "Kambal" who is long wanted for a string of cases.
The police officer failed to find Kambal and were instead ambushed on their way to back to their headquarters, he added.
"Lieutenant Samson and Corporal Endab died on the spot," Abillera said, adding the three wounded police officers sustained "not so serious injuries."
The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters under Boy Jacket was responsible for the attack, according to the result of the initial investigation of the Philippine National Police.
In other developments, the police director of Maguindanao was relieved from his post following an order released on Wednesday.
PNP directorate for personnel and records management directorate for personnel and records management Brig. Gen. Robert Rodriguez signed the order to sack Col. Christopher Panapan.
Col. Roel Rullan Sermese from the Police Regional Office in the Soccsksargen Region replaced Panapan.
Meantime, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and PNP chief General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. gave awards Wednesday to three police officers who were wounded in the ambush.
Accompanied by local officials, Abalos and Azurin arrived in Maguindanao to discuss with police, military, and local officials about the situation in Maguindanao, led by Governor Bai Mariam Sangki Mangudadatu.
The officials conferred the Medalya ng Kadakilaan at Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting Police on Quinalayo, De la Cuesta and Dayaday who are confined in a hospital in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat.
