The Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday that suspects in the ambush of policemen while on patrol in Maguindanao were already under surveillance.
PNP public information chief Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan did not provide further details on the so-called persons of interest, but emphasized that the investigators were closely monitoring the suspects’ movements.
“May magandang development sapagkat base sa kanilang pag-iimbestiga ay mayroon na silang mga persons of interest na tinututukan at sa ngayong doon nakatuon ang ating ongoing police operations,” Maranan said.
Maranan also added that the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region was placed under full alert status after the ambuscade.
On the same day, PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr, flew to Maguindanao to check on the ongoing security measures in the area.
Last June 14, four PNP patrolmen were waylaid by unknown gunmen in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, killing two of the lawmen and injuring four others.
Slain were Patrolmen Saipoden Shiek Macacuna and Bryan Polayagan.
Injured were identified Patrolmen Arjie Pabinguit and Abdulgafor Alib, SSgt. Benjie de los Reyes, and MSgt. Rey Vincent Gertos.
The PNP command condemned the attack, calling it “inhumane and criminal” even as it vowed that the case will not go unsolved.