N. Samar town police repulse NPA attack; 3 killed, 1 nabbed
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Thu, 28 Mar 2019 06:31:55 +0000
Around 50 heavily armed New People’s Army rebels attacked the Victoria Municipal Police Station in Northern Samar, but the policemen were able to defend the post, killing three of the rebels and arresting another early yesterday morning.
MAP of Victoria, Northern Samar
Police Gen. Oscar Albayalde, chief of the Philippine National Police, said the cops repulsed the attack despite being outnumbered – 15 cops against 50 communist rebels.
“They did not only defend and repulse the attack our personnel were also bale to kill three of the attackers and captured another one,” said Albayalde. “They have a good instinct. They occupied the high ground, the second and third floor of the police station, and it was there that they engaged the attackers,” said Albayalde.
He said two cops were wounded during the clash but they were both minor injuries. The two wounded cops due to shrapnel were Police Senior Master Sergeants Arturo Gordo Jr. and Arnold Cabacang.
“What they did is very commendable,” said Albayalde.
The policemen was commanded by Police Lt. Eladio Alo, officer-in-charge of the Victoria MPS.
Police Brig. Gen. Dionardo Carlos, director of the Eastern Visayas regional police, said the firefight broke out at around 3:45 a.m. when the rebels started the attack in an attempt to lay siege in the police station. The attack ended at 6:40 a.m.
“The rebels arrived on board two trucks. They were armed with high-powered firearms and dressed in military fatigues. They used yellow strips of cloth as headband or countersign,” said Carlos. “Several of them are noted to be women,” he added.
Sensing that they were outnumbered, most of the cops went up to the second and third floor of the police station. “It was there that they engaged in the gunfight. It is a good decision since in any firefight, being on the high ground is always an advantage,” said Albayalde.
Albayalde said the high ground advantage made it very difficult for the rebels to run over the police station.
Almost three hours later, the rebels decided to withdraw in an apparent fear of the coming police and military reinforcements. They left behind three of their dead comrades and one was captured and was identified as 18-year-old Aljon Cardenas.
Instead of carting away firearms which is the original plan, the NPA rebels instead lost a 60-caliber gun, two M16 rifles, and one M14 rifle.
During the attack, the rebels conducted road blockades in Barangay Colab-og and Barangay Libertad of the municipality, according to the Army’s 803rd Infantry Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Ramil M. Bitong.
Two civilians identified as Shay Sanchez and Samuel Ilustre were also wounded after the rebels fired shots at their vehicle while passing one of their road blockades. The victims were brought to a hospital in Allen, Northern Samar.
“The 803rd Infantry Brigade will provide support to the Northern Samar Provincial Police Office on the possible apprehension of the perpetrators,” Biton said. (with a report from Francis Wakefield)