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| New People’s Army (NPA) |
By Celso Amo
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – Two policemen were killed and five others, including the Viga town police chief and three drug surrenderees, were wounded Thursday when New People’s Army (NPA) rebels ambushed their vehicles on the way to a drug rehabilitation seminar in Virac, Catanduanes.
Chief Supt. Antonio Gardiola Jr., Bicol police regional director, condemned the attack he described as an “act of terrorism” and ordered a pursuit operation.
Col. Alduan Masagca, 901st Brigade commander, also ordered the 83rd Infantry Battalion to help the pursuing policemen and fight the fleeing NPA members.
The rebels first attacked the escorting policemen by detonating an improvised explosive device near a hilly portion along the highway in Barangay Sagrada, Virac town.
Although they were able to escape the attack, SPO1 Marwin de Vera was hit in the stomach while surrenderees Alvin de la Cruz, Michael Joseph Tuhon and Andy Freddie Tawat were hit by shrapnel. De Vera was brought to the Immaculate Heart of Mary hospital for treatment and the surrenderees to Eastern Bicol Medical Center.
Read the full story at PhilStar