Monday, January 26, 2015

At Least 10 Cordilleran Policemen Among Those Killed In Maguindanao Encounter

Based on the latest reports, at least 43 members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP SAF) were killed during an encounter with Muslim rebels in Maguindanao last Sunday (January 25). Around 11 of the policemen were also reported to have been wounded. The government forces engaged members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in barangay Tukalanipao in said province.

The numbers of those who perished and those who were wounded are not yet definite. Various media outlets are reporting different figures. Rappler reports that 49 bodies were recovered from the encounter site while the Inquirer puts it at 43

Several of the slain policemen are from the Cordillera region. Based on our sources, over a dozen of the cops are from the different provinces of CAR. We are yet to verify some of the names but below are 13 of the policemen who are reportedly from the Cordillera region. [If there's an error in the list, please feel free to inform us at the comments section below.]

1. Police Officer 2 Walner Danao of Irisan, Baguio City
2. Police Officer 2 Franklin Danao of Tinoc, Ifugao
3. Police Officer 3 Noel Golocan from Lepanto, Benguet and Mt. Province
4. Police Officer 2 Peterson Carap from Kabayan, Benguet
5. Police Officer 1 Russel Bilog of Tabuk, Kalinga and Sagada, Mt. Province
6. Police Senior Inspector Cyrus Anniban of Balbalan, Kalinga
7. Police Officer 1 Angel Kodiamat from Bontoc, Mt. Province
8. Police Officer 1 Gringo Cayang-o of Sadanga, Mt. Province
9. Police Senior Inspector Gednat Tabdi from La Trinidad, Benguet
10. Police Officer 2 Joel Dulnuan from Kiangan, Ifugao
11. Police Officer 3 Robert Allaga of Banaue, Ifugao
12. Police Officer 2 Jerry Kayob of La Trinidad, Benguet
13. Police Officer 2 Noble Kiangan of Mankayan, Benguet
File photo of PNP SAF during an exercise. Image from the Facebook page of the PNP SAF 5th Special Action Battalion.