Seven were arrested in the bloody execution of warrants of arrest in Barangay Mahayag, Santa Margarita town, Province of Samar on January 30, 2024, according to Police Colonel Jean Fajardo, chief of the Public Information Office of the Philippine National Police.
With the ongoing tactical interrogation, the identities are still withheld.
The serving of eight warrants of arrest upon members of alleged criminal groups in Santa Margarita turned out into a bloody encounter.
Edito Ampoan, leader of the Ampoan criminal group which already merged with two other groups - Manias and Montealto groups - was believed to have noticed of the authorities prior.
The supposed serving of warrants ended in a shootout when the suspects reportedly opened fire at the policemen.
The arrested persons were alleged to have carried out various illegal activities such as extortion and killing of individuals in the province, among other criminal acts.
Samar Provincial Police Office Director, Police Colonel Peter Uy Limbauan, and personnel have expressed through a social media post their deepest sympathy to the families of the killed policemen.
The post on the Facebook account of Samar PPO expressed "deep sorrow and grief in losing three brothers and comrades as they were brutally killed by notorious criminals on January 30, 2024.”
The fatalities were identified as Master Sergeant Paul Terence Paclibar, Staff Sergeant Christian Tallo, and Corporal Eleazar Estrelles, Jr.
“They will always fuel and burn our passion to seek for justice,” the post added.
The Samar PPO also honors four wounded policemen identified as Corporal Ranel Pedamato, Patrolman Mark Redoblado, Patrolman Mark Jason Sixta, and Patrolman Ham Kritner Cabalis. They are now recuperating at a hospital in Calbayog City.
“Our relentless effort to go after lawless elements may take down lives of good police officers, but remember, there will be more police officers of Samar PPO who will stand up to fight for justice and uphold law and order in this Province,” Col. Limbauan underscored.
Simultaneous checkpoints are imposed in Santa Margarita.
