PAYING RESPECTS. Philippine National Police chief, Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. (left), on Tuesday (Feb. 14, 2023) condoles the bereaved families of one of the seven police officers who died in a road accident in Misamis Oriental province. Aside from extending assistance, Azurin assures there will be policy changes to prevent similar accidents from happening again. (Photo courtesy of PCADG Northern Mindanao) CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., on Tuesday personally extended his condolences to the bereaved families of seven police officers who died in a road accident in Misamis Oriental province. During his visit to the wake of the families' residences, Azurin assured that measures are being put in place to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. "The safety and well-being of our personnel are of utmost importance and we will do everything in our power to ensure it," he said. Azurin also visited the injured police officers recuperating in different hospitals in this city, Misamis Oriental and Iligan City. The accident occurred on Feb. 11 in Naawan town, Misamis Oriental province, which resulted in the deaths of seven PNP personnel, a retired police officer, and a civilian. The Misamis Oriental police provincial office reported that the accident involved a Mitsubishi Fuso wing van truck and two Nissan commuter van vehicles. Police investigation showed that the truck was going towards the city, while the two commuter vehicles were moving toward Iligan City in the opposite direction at the time of the incident. The cause of the accident remains under investigation as of posting time, but initial reports indicated the front right wheel of the truck exploded, leading to the collision with the two commuter vans. The two Nissan vehicles were loaded with PNP personnel who are students at the Regional Training Center -10 in this city and were traveling on a privileged pass. The accident also injured 28 other police personnel. As of Tuesday, 16 were already discharged from the hospitals. While here, Azurin directed the PNP director for comptrollership and the director of health services to provide necessary assistance to the victims and their families. (PNA) }