Agusan police chief sacked over NPA raid

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – The police chief of Sta. Josefa, Agusan del Sur has been relieved from his post to pave the way for an administrative investigation into his liability in connection with the New People’s Army (NPA) raid on his station Wednesday morning.

Senior Superintendent Nestor Monton Fajura, Caraga police chief for personnel operations, said Inspector Elizer Pido was reportedly not present when the rebels swooped down on the municipal police station as he was on leave.

In the raid that lasted only 10 minutes, the guerrillas, posing as government troops in camouflage uniforms, disarmed the policemen on duty of their firearms, including three M-16s, an M-14 and a 9-mm pistol. – Ben Serrano