PNP eyes posthumous awards for 5 cops killed in Maguindanao del Sur ambush

Posthumous awards will be given to five police officers who were killed in an ambush in Maguindanao del Sur, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday.

At a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño said that PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. led a meeting to discuss the awards for the fallen cops.

“Pinangunahan po ni Chief PNP ang meeting kaninang umaga kaugnay ng mga posthumous awards na ibibigay sa kanila at 'yung mga special financial assistance,” he said.

(The Chief PNP led the meeting this morning regarding the posthumous awards that will be given to them and the special financial assistance.)

“Ito po ay manggagaling sa PNP at sa Office of the President,” he added.

(This will come from the PNP and the Office of the President.)

Five policemen were killed and three others were injured in the ambush in Barangay Mother Poblacion, Shariff Aguak on Saturday evening.

The fallen officers, who belonged to the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company, were returning to their camp from nighttime duty when gunmen attacked them along a highway near Camp Akilan, the PNP said.

Manhunt operations are ongoing to arrest the assailants, who were allegedly from a group of insurgents, according to the PNP.

Nartatez said the attack will not affect the PNP's resolve to maintain peace and order in the area.

Intensified security measures are already in place in Maguindanao del Sur following the incident. —KG, GMA Integrated News