NPAs kill 5 cops, 3 civilians

About 50 suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels killed five policemen and three civilians during an encounter in Claveria, Masbate yesterday morning, authorities said.

Killed were Claveria policemen PO3s Cerillo Fuentes and Benjie Teñoso, and PO1s Noriel Pentejos Gracilla, Rommel Leyte Tumblod and Christian Bajar Cabug.

The three slain civilians remained unidentified as of press time.

Reports said the encounter between the rebels and joint elements of the Claveria police and the Bravo Company of the 5th Police Regional Mobile Group took place at about 10:30 a.m. in Sitio San Jose, Barangay Poblacion District 1 in Claveria town.

Another policeman, PO1 Rolando Valdemoro Laurio Jr., was wounded in the firefight.

The policemen were on their way to check reports of the rebels’ presence in the area when they were attacked, triggering the firefight. — Cecille Suerte Felipe