PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. yesterday vowed to use all police resources to track down and bring to justice suspects responsible for the ambush of elected officials since February 17.
“We will not allow those criminals to continue their nefarious activities; we will make sure that they will face the consequences of their actions the soonest possible time,” Azurin said.
Last February 17, gunmen ambushed the group of Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. in Maguing, Lanao del Sur, wounding the governor and one of his companions. Four other companions of Adiong died in the attack.
Two days later, Aparri, Cagayan Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda and five of his companions died when his van was ambushed by suspects wearing police uniforms in Bagabag, Nueva Viscaya.
Last Wednesday, Datu Montawal, Maguindanao del Sur Mayor Ohto Caumbo Montawal was injured in an ambush in Pasay City.
“We will be using all resources of the PNP to hunt and track them down and bring these criminals to the bar of justice and pay for their crimes,” Azurin said.
Azurin reiterated his directive to police commanders to conduct threat assessments on elected and government officials to prevent similar crimes in the future.
“I am directing all the regional directors to conduct threat assessments to all elected and government officials in your area of responsibility. Engage them one by one, see to it that their security concerns are all attended to,” said Azurin.
Azurin said elected and government officials found with threats on their lives will be secured, especially when they are travelling.
“They should not hesitate to inform us so that we can ensure their safety during their travels,” said Azurin.
Azurin said the PNP already has a lead on those who ambushed Adiong. One of the suspects, one alias Otin, died during a police pursuit operation last February 18.
“I think within the week, we will be filing the case against (the suspects),” he said.
Azurin said the PNP now has persons of interest being pursued by police investigators in the ambush of Alameda while investigators are still digging deeper into the case of Montawal.
