Six cops perish in Sta. Rita, Samar skirmish

By DPAO, 8ID PA
June 25, 2018

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City – Elements of the 1st Platoon, 805th Company, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 8 of PNP and operating troops from 87th Infantry (Hinirang) Battalion incidentally engaged in a firefight in Sitio Lonoy, Barangay San Roque, Sta Rita, Samar around 09:20 this morning that resulted to the untimely demise of six policemen.

Reports reaching this headquarters said that one platoon minus led by 1Lt Casipit reported that they encountered an armed group at vicinity Sitio Lonoy and the firefight lasted for about 30 minutes. After the skirmishes, 1Lt Casipit and his troops discovered that the unit involved in the encounter belonged to the PNP unit under PCI Suspiñe who also operated on the same location.

Aside from the six fatalities there were nine (9) others Wounded In Action (WIA). There was no casualty reported from 87IB. The wounded PNP personnel were brought to the nearest hospital and dead bodies were recovered jointly by the AFP and PNP.

“A joint, thorough and impartial investigation is being conducted even as we assure the public that your AFP and PNP is fully cooperating to shed light on the incident” said MGen Raul M. Farnacio, Commander of 8ID who directed his ground Commanders to make appropriate actions.