Negros Or. police chief, cop-driver die in ambush

BACOLOD CITY — The police chief of Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental and his policeman-driver were killed in an ambush along the national highway in Guihulngan town the other day.

Aside from the ambush-slaying of Inspector Leopito Gallego and his driver, PO3 Cipriano Saludes, there were unconfirmed reports that the police chief of Guihulngan town himself was abducted by suspected communist guerrillas.

Authorities said Gallego and Saludes died on the spot when about 40 rebels waylaid them in Sitio Matu-og in Barangay Gasak, Guihulngan town at about 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Another policeman, SPO1 Celo Copta, was critically woun—ded.

A group of policemen tried to rush to the scene but they themselves were ambushed in Barangay Bulado, also in Guihulngan. Another policeman, SPO3 Cecilio Nilles, was wounded.

Lt. Col. Rolando Picar, commanding officer of the Army’s 66th Infantry Battalion, said responding soldiers also encountered another group of rebels on the coast of Guihulngan. — Antonieta Lopez