Duterte offers P1-M reward for arrest of suspects behind slay of Negros cops

President Rodrigo Duterte is offering a P1-million reward for the capture of those behind the killing of four police intelligence officers in Negros Oriental.

"According to the Chief Executive, a PhP1 million reward will be given for the capture, whether dead or alive, of the masterminds, perpetrators, and main shooters of the four police intel personnel," presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement issued on Sunday.

"A PhP50,000 reward, on the other hand, will be given for the capture of all the conspirators involved in this felonious activity," he added.

Four police officers were ambushed and allegedly tortured by suspected New People's Army rebels before they were killed in Sitio Yamot, Barangay Mabato in Ayungon town, Negros Oriental Thursday afternoon.

The four police officers were on board two motorcycles on the way to the home of a certain "Anadon" when they were ambushed by suspected rebels.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 regional director Police Brigadier General Debold Sinas identified the fatalities as Police Corporal Relebert Beronio, Patrolman Raffy Callao, Patrolman Ruel Cabellon, and Patrolman Marquino de Leon.

The four victims were members of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-7, assigned to a detachment in Sitio Nabangka, Barangay Mabato in Ayungon town.

Duterte visited the wake for the four police officers on Saturday in Sibulan town and condoled with their relatives.

He also conferred on the police officers posthumously the Order of Lapu-Lapu, Rank of Kalasag.

According to Panelo, Duterte called for a command conference with officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police afterward to discuss the developments in the investigation.

"The Office of the President expresses its condolences to all the loved ones of the slain policemen even as we condemn in the strongest terms their treacherous slaying. We will ensure that justice will be served to those behind this condemnable offense against our peace enforcers. The full force of the law will come crushing down on the perpetrators," Panelo added. —KG, GMA News