Two rookie policemen died after being struck by lightning inside a police camp in Naujan town of Oriental Mindoro on Wednesday night, May 14.
The incident was discovered more than an hour later when a policeman passing by noticed the two officers lying on the ground in the motorcycle parking lot of the Regional Mobile Forces Battalion in Barangay Pinagsabangan.
A report from the Police Regional Office 4B stated that the two policemen may have been parking their motorcycles when they were struck by the lightning, possibly around 10:30 p.m. when the series of lightning were observed.
The patrolling police officer immediately sought assistance from fellow policemen to bring the two to the hospital. They, however, were declared dead.
In a statement, Police Regional Office 4B director Brig. Gen. Roger L. Quesada vowed to extend all the necessary assistance to the families of the two policemen.
“Their tragic loss is a painful reminder of the silent risks our personnel face in service to the nation. On behalf of Police Regional Office Mimaropa, we extend our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones,” said Quesada.
“We are committed to providing full assistance, benefits, and honors to ensure their sacrifices are rightfully recognized and their families supported during this difficult time,” he added.
In 2009, two members of the police elite Special Action Force died while six others were injured when they were struck by lightning while fixing a radio antenna in Abra. (Aaron Recuenco)
