Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. disclosed that the agency has already augmented manpower for carrying out manhunt operations against the killers of Ampatuan Police Chief Lieutenant Reynaldo Samson and his security-aide Corporal Salipudin Endab earlier this week.
The augmentation of forces was through the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front ceasefire mechanisms.
"A manhunt has been launched by authorities against the suspected gunmen with the help of the GPH-MILF Ceasefire Mechanisms and support of the AFP Forces," Galvez said.
According to the OPAPRU, the area of the incident is a terrorist-infiltrated area under the lawless elements of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
"We would like to assure the victims' families that the perpetrators of this heinous crime will be made to face the bar of justice and be held accountable for the crimes they committed," Galvez said.
"The passing Lt. Samson and Cpl. Endab should serve as a clarion call for all of us to continue strengthening our peacebuilding efforts so that no one should lose their lives to the barrel of a gun," he added.
Galvez stressed that the tragic death of the police chief and his comrade in Ampatuan, Maguindanao will serve as a "major cause for concern" that must be looked further into by the authorities.
"The murder of Lt. Samson and Cpl. Endab is a grim reminder that the agents of violence will not hesitate to wreak havoc on the populace. This is a major cause for concern that will be immediately and decisively addressed," Galvez said.
