MANILA – Malacañang on Tuesday condemned the abduction of five police officers in Davao City over the weekend and assured the families that the government is ensuring the safety of the policemen.
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., in a statement, said the “Philippine National Police (PNP) is exerting efforts to track down the suspects while ensuring the safety of the police officers.”
“We join the PNP in condemning this lawless act against our police officers who were performing their duty to protect the security and well-being of our people,” he added.
The PNP, on Monday, condemned the abduction and vowed to do its best to get them back.
PNP Spokesperson Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor, in a statement, said the police officers “were intercepted and held against their will by a group of heavily-armed lawless elements wearing military uniforms” while the former are on patrol at Purok 5, in the village of Mapula, Paquibato District, Davao City.
He said the Police Regional Office 11 is now tracking the armed men with the help of the 60th, 68th and 84th Infantry Battalions of the military’s 10th Infantry Division.