Seven of the eight slain policemen killed in an encounter with New People’s Army rebels in Northern Samar two weeks ago were laid to rest with full state honors in Catarman on Thursday, even as the Philippine National Police (PNP) vowed to provide full benefits due their families, the PNP said Saturday.
The bereaved families will receive death benefits, educational and financial assistance for dependents from two police benefit funds. The PNP Finance Service has released nearly P1.25 million while the Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund will share the remainder of about P577,000, PNP spokesperson Senior Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said in the statement.
The claims will be released upon completion of all accounting and auditing requirements.
The eight-man police team from the Catarman Municipal Police Station led by Senior Inspector Nicasio San Antonio hit a landmine planted by NPA insurgents along the road to Barangay Imelda, Catarman town, where they were headed to investigate a reported shooting incident last August 21.
Some 40 alleged members of the NPA’s Efren Martires Command swooped down on the damaged patrol vehicle and finished off the wounded policemen, according to witnesses. The police casualties were also reportedly looted of their equipment and valuables such as jewelry, cellphones, wallets, clothes and other personal effects
The NPA’s Northern Samar command however clarified in a statement posted Friday that the Catarman ambush was “legitimate in all respects," adding that all eight PNP elements were “killed in action" and not summarily executed.
The NPA regional command also explained that the policemen’s personal belongings could not be immediately returned because their units are still “maneuvering to counter ... pursuit operations," but vowed to return these later.
The slain head of the team, San Antonio, was interred earlier in his hometown in Buhi, Camarines Sur last August 29.—Carmela Lapeña/JV
