Peace and order under control despite ex-gov's ambush —PNP

The peace and order situation is under control, the Philippine National Police has said.

PNP spokesman Police Colonel Bernard Banac made the remark after the Volunteers Against Crime Corruption said that nobody was safe anymore following the assassination try on former Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino Jr.

“Ang atin pong peace and order situation sa buong bansa ay under control based sa pinapakita ng ating mga datos mula ng 2016 hanggang sa kasalukuyan," Banac said.

"Patuloy po na bumababa ang bilang ng krimen nationwide, crimes against person and against property dahil po sa maigting na kampanya laban sa kriminalidad,” he added.

Banac said the PNP respected the statement of the VACC.

"Of course hindi naman natin mapipiligan, subalit hindi tayo titigil para mapigilan ang mga crime incidents at mapanagot natin sa batas ang mga lahat ng mga lalabag," Banac said.

In its statement, the VACC said nobody was safe anymore after Espino was ambushed. One of his security aides died.

“Sa panahon ngayon na kahit na isang dating governor ay basta na lang tinatambangan, hindi na talaga ligtas ang mga ordinayong mamamayan laban sa ibat ibang paraan ng karahasan at kriminalidad," the VACC said.

"We call on the different law enforcement agencies to act swiftly on this case," it added.

Investigation on the ambush incident is still ongoing, Banac said.

He added that all angles would be looked into to determine the real motive of the ambush and to determine the suspects.

Pangasinan police chief Police Colonel Redrico Maranan said up to 10 suspects had been identified. They may be members of a professional gun for hire group. —NB, GMA News