BY MIKE CRISMUNDO
CAMP COL RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City – The Regional Police Office 13 (PRO 13) condemned the ruthless killing of a police officer allegedly by members of the New People’s Army in Sitio Napo, Barangay Matinao, Mainit, Surigao del Norte on Tuesday.
Police Staff Sgt. Restie Dandan was found dead around 7 a.m. on Tuesday, 19 days after he was abducted. He sustained gunshot wounds in different parts of the body, PRO 13 report said
“The entire police force condemned in the strongest manner the latest hostility of the CPP-NPA victimizing PSSg. Dandan. This dastardly and barbaric act proved that the CPP-NPA terrorists never uphold the rule of law and are just good in disguising as protectors of the people,” said PRO 13 director Brig. Gen. Joselito T. Esquivel Jr. in a statement Tuesday night.
He said the terrorist group fights for a lost cause and that their atrocities speak of their true color as anti-peace and development.
Dandan was reportedly abducted by the rebels on July 31, 2020 in Barangay San Isidro, Sison, Surigao del Norte while travelling to Sison Municipal Police Station (MPS) where he was assigned.
However, as of this posting, the Surigao del Norte guerilla unit and CPP-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee did not issue any statement in relation to the allegation hurled against them.
“He is known to be a humble and hardworking police officer. Even in his previous assignments or in the community where he is residing, he did not have derogatory record,” Esquivel said.
Meanwhile, police and military are conducting joint operations to bring the cop’s killers before the bar of justice.
“The death of PSSg Dandan widowed his wife and orphaned his son and two daughters. We share the grief of his family, relatives, workmates, and friends over the loss of a good law enforcer, husband, and father. At all cost we will ensure that justice will be served soon,” the Caraga top cop disclosed.
The regional command of PRO 13 also assured that all the benefits intended for the fallen cop will be given to the family of the victim. (Mike Crismundo)
