BUTUAN CITY ,Philippines – Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels numbering 250 swooped down on the police station and a checkpoint in Trento, Surigao del Sur early yesterday morning, killing two civilians and wounding two policemen and a municipal revenue officer, authorities said.
Chief Superintendent Reynaldo Rafal, Caraga police director, said only 40 of the 250 insurgents took part in the raid on the Trento police station, while the rest served as a blocking force in the towns of Bunawan and Sta. Josefa and in their escape routes.
Gamba identified the two casualties as Salvador Ralla Jr., a civilian police aide and former militiaman Virgilio Parrucho, who was killed in the checkpoint in Barangay Cuevas. The wounded policemen were only identified as PO1s Lazarte and Hubo.
Gamba said the rebels withdrew from the Trento police station after a one-hour gunfight with policemen, and then attacked the checkpoint in Barangay Cuevas where municipal revenue collection officer Alexander Lagulao was wounded.
Meanwhile, at least five soldiers were wounded when an improvised landmine believed planted by NPA guerrillas exploded along the road in Barangay Ticulon, Malita, Davao del Sur late Friday afternoon.
The Army’s 10th Infantry Division identified the wounded soldiers as M/Sgt. Lucio Taño Jr., Pfc. Romelito Deloria, Cpl. Lourdy Cabatian, Sgt. Melchor Quimba, and Cpl. Judy Cabaya, who belong to the 39th Infantry Battalion.
Lt. Col. Oliver Artuz said his soldiers were on their way to Barangay Little Baguio for a community outreach program when the military truck that carried them, hit the landmine planted along the road in Barangay Ticulon. – With Edith Regalado, Mike Frialde