^

Nation

NPAs attack Agusan town hall; 4 dead, 3 wounded

-
BUTUAN CITY — The earlier threat of the New People‘s Army (NPA) has proven true when about 50 young communist guerrillas armed with high-powered firearms attacked the Bayugan, Agusan del Sur town hall and police station at around 2 p.m. yesterday.

Two policemen and two rebels were killed while three others were wounded.

Military reports reaching The STAR claimed that 50 other communist guerrillas were stationed at Wawa Bridge to counter any reinforcement from government troopers.

Bayugan police identified the fatalities as PO1 Marito Correos and PO1 Rey Ejercito. Meanwhile, PO1 Julieto Ano was wounded in the head.

According to reports, Ejercito and Correos were outside the Municipal Hall when two vans loaded with NPA guerrillas suddenly parked at the Municipal Hall grounds and opened fire at them. Ano, who was inside the police office near the town hall, was hit in the head when he returned fire.

The rebels ransacked the armory of the police station and took away various firearms, including M-16, M-14 and M-203 armalite rifles.

However, responding policemen, who launched hot pursuit operations against the fleeing rebels, killed two communist guerrillas who were trapped in the chase.

The two vans used by the NPA in the attack were found abandoned near the Municipality of Sibagat, Agusan del Sur.

Police officials are now investigating the Bayugan police for its alleged laxity in guarding the Municipal Hall and police office. The police chief was reportedly not on duty at the time of the attack despite earlier warnings of a an impending attack.

Col. Rogelio Rosete, commanding officer of the 401st Infantry Brigade, told The STAR that the NPA has been threatening to attack the Bayugan Municipal Hall and assassinate Bayugan Mayor Alit Asis.

Asis’s husband, who was the town’s former mayor, was reportedly assassinated by sparrow units of the NPA while campaigning in a barangay in the 2001 local elections.

The NPA claimed that the mayor was engaged in many illegal activities, prompting the NPA’s kangaroo court to mete a punishment order against him. — Ben Serrano

vuukle comment

AGUSAN

BAYUGAN

BAYUGAN MAYOR ALIT ASIS

BAYUGAN MUNICIPAL HALL

BEN SERRANO

EJERCITO AND CORREOS

INFANTRY BRIGADE

JULIETO ANO

MARITO CORREOS

MUNICIPAL HALL

POLICE

  • Latest
  • Trending
Latest
Latest
abtest
Recommended
Are you sure you want to log out?
X
Login

Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!

Get Updated:

Signup for the News Round now

FORGOT PASSWORD?
SIGN IN
or sign in with