4 cops killed in NPA ambush
FOUR policemen died and four others were injured when a responding police vehicle ran over a landmine planted by communist rebels in Bulan, Sorsogon yesterday morning.
The military said a New People’s Army rebel was also killed in an ensuing firefight.
Reports reaching Chief Supt. Ruben Padua, Bicol region police director, identified the fatalities as Senior Insp. Jerson de Leon, the team leader, and SPO1 Joson Gerola, PO2 Darwin Detoito, and PO1 Ryan Padruique.
Injured were Police Officers 1 Guamos, Allen Lanuza, Alvin Baldonado and George Jordan.
The casualties are members of the 509th Police Provincial Mobile Group based in Bulan town.
Padua said the incident happened at around 11:30 a.m. when the team led by De Leon responded to a call regarding an alleged robbery in Barangay Antipolo.
Upon reaching a road in Barangay Antipolo, the responding team’s vehicle ran over a landmine planted by the rebels.
The still undetermined number of rebels also fired at the responding team’s vehicle. The policemen managed to return fire.
The communist rebels scampered in different directions after they sensed the arrival of government reinforcements, police said.
Lt. Gen. Roland Detabali, chief of the AFP Southern Luzon Command, said the fatalities and the wounded were recovered by responding troops from the Army’s 49th Infantry Battalion.
Quoting from a report from the Army’s 903rd Brigade, Detabali said the rebels had also set up a checkpoint at the nearby Del Pilar village.
After receipt of the information, Detabali sent troops from the 49th IB who found the slain police personnel along with two other policemen injured.
Also found in the area were four M16 rifles, apparently owned by the policemen; a patrol car which Detabali said was damaged by an improvised explosive device; and four unexploded improvised bombs.
Sorsogon is a known bailiwick of the NPA which President Arroyo wants defeated before her term ends in June next year. Latest military estimates placed the NPA’s strength at more than 4,000. – Victor Reyes and Raymond Africa
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