Officials from the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines paid tribute to the two Philippine National Police officers, one killed and the other injured during a rescue mission last August 3 which resulted in the successful rescue of two kidnapped Chinese nationals.
The said Chinese diplomats went to Angeles Pampanga and Teresa, Rizal to hand over donations by the Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. and representatives of Chinese Filipinos, as they paid tribute to the service of both policemen, and expressed condolences and sympathy to their families.
A “friendly fire” killed Police S/Sgt. Nelson Santiago during a recent anti-kidnapping operations, after the China Embassy sought the assistance of the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group help to rescue to Chinese kidnap victims.
The PNP confirmed in a press briefing in Camp Crame, Quezon City, that the accidental killing of the said police officer was based on the results of the ballistics examination on the slugs recovered from the body of Santiago.
The autopsy report conducted by the Forensic Group said that the cause of death was a shot in his chest, particularly the left side of his body and it affected his lungs and aorta. His wound was fatal,” according to Col Jane Fajardo PNP spokesperson.
Fajardo said a forensic investigation also confirmed that the bullet from a Galil 5.56 assault rifle used by a newbie police officer hit first Chief M/Sgt. Eden Accad, in his torso before hitting Santiago.
“There were three of them who entered a dark area during the operation. A member of the entering team saw a gun pointed at them and incidentally, he pulled the trigger and the wounded police officer (Santiago) was the first one who was hit,” she added.
The Aug. 3 operation in Angeles City resulted in the rescue of two victims and the arrest of two suspects. Accad survived while Santiago was pronounced dead on arrival at the Angeles University Foundation Medical Center.
The police officer, with the rank of patrolman, who accidentally shot Accad and Santiago, admitted his mistake and immediately surrendered the firearm less than 24 hours after the incident.
He was already subjected to inquest proceedings and was charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and serious physical injury and is now detained at the AKG.
Fajardo said PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil has also ordered a review of the police operational procedures following the incident.
