PNP chief flies to Maguindanao to personally oversee ongoing probe of massacre

MANILA, Nov. 24 -– Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Jesus Verzosa Tuesday flew to Maguindanao to personally oversee the ongoing investigation and pursuit operations against the armed men who abducted more or less 40 individuals, more than 20 of whom were recovered dead, in a remote area in Ampatuan town.

”Investigation and hot pursuit operations are going on now for Maguindanao massacre. In fact, PNP chief Verzosa has flown to Maguindanao to oversee the investigation,” PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina said.

On Monday morning, about 40 people, led by Genalyn Mangudadatu, wife of Buluan town Mayor Ebrahim Mangudadatu, and his younger sister and incumbent Vice Mayor Eden Mangudadatu of Mangudadatu town, and some media practitioners, were held by some 100 armed men manning a checkpoint along Sitio Crossing in Barangay Saniag in Ampatuan town.

Mangudadatu’s group was on their way to file the certificate of candidacy of Ismael Mangudadatu for the governorship of Maguindanao when stop by the armed men, some of whom were identified as PNP personnel, and then led to remote village of Salman where they were massacred.

Ismael Mangudadatu immediately accused members of the Ampatuan clan as responsible in the gruesome massacre.

Latest update from the PNP showed 24 bodies were recovered from the site. Clearing operations by combined police and military units are also ongoing.

”We are trying our best to hold all the perpetrators answerable,” said Espina. (PNA)

FFC/MM

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