Samar police chief ambushed

TACLOBAN CITY — Some 50 communist rebels ambushed Superintendent Conrado Calvario, Samar police director, in Catbalogan, Samar the other day while he and his men were on their way to this city for the visit of President Arroyo.

Critically wounded was Calvario’s driver, PO1 Elpidio Sasil. Calvario and his other men suffered minor bruises.

Calvario’s group was cruising the national highway between Barangays Socorro and Lagundi in Catbalogan when they were waylaid at about 2 p.m.

Chief Superintendent Dionisio Coloma, Eastern Visayas police director, said Calvario’s men managed to shoot it out with the rebels, who retreated after a few minutes of firefight, carting away an M-16 Armalite rifle and a .9-mm pistol.

Police said the police patrol car Calvario’s group was riding in initially hit a land mine on the road, after which the lawmen were fired upon. — Miriam Garcia Desacada, Eladio Perfecto