The Guimaras Police Provincial Office (GPPO) has created a special investigation task force to focus tightly on the incident that led to the drowning of a policeman on Seaborne Patrol operations.

Despite the report that Police Staff Sergeant Mechael Gatinao fell off the motorbanca by accident while chasing illegal fishers, the Guimaras PPO would want to establish that no foul play is behind the incident.

“Upang ma-establish natin thoroughly ang lahat ng situations upang wala nang doubt sa ating report na isa-submit sa Regional Office,” according to Major Marie Faith Superio, chief of the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Unit of GPPO, in a phone interview over GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas.

Major Superio clarified they have no questions about the results of the investigation but would want to ensure the integrity of their reports as the GPPO has not ruled out the possibility of foul play.

“Ma-countercheck rin natin kung how true ang mga nakita na dapat nating tingnan na mga situation upang ma-make sure natin at ma-prove na aksidente ang nangyari,” she pointed out.

To recall, the body of the policeman was recovered on October 18, 2024 in the waters of Sitio Nauai, Barangay Sabang, Sibunag town, Guimaras at 11:30 a.m.

The policeman went missing after he accidentally fell off a boat in Barangay Guiuanon, Nueva Valencia at 8:30 p.m. on October 16, 2024.

Gatinao, 42 years old, married, a resident of Sitio Serum, Barangay San Nicolas, Buenavista town in Guimaras was assigned at the Nueva Valencia Municipal Police Station. He spent 16 years in the police service.

As of this posting, the illegal fishermen have not yet been identified.