NPAs attack Sorsogon cop station

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines  – Two policemen were wounded when New People’s Army (NPA) rebels raided the police station of Barcelona town in Sorsogon Friday evening.

PO3 Joel Encinares and PO1 Jessie Doloiras were wounded when about 30 heavily armed NPA guerillas attacked the police station around 11:15 p.m., triggering a one-hour gunfight.

Superintendent Wilson Azutea, spokeperson for the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bicol, said Inspector Edgar Azotea led the duty personnel who repelled the attack by NPA rebels.

He said scene of the crime investigators recovered a live ammunition for an M-203 grenade launcher after the rebels escaped.

PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome meanwhile, lauded the policemen for their action.

“I urge you to keep up the good work and perform with the same zeal and dedication in all your future undertakings,” Bartolome said in a statement.

Last Thursday, an Army soldier was killed, while six others were wounded when members of the 93rd Division Reconnaissance Company under Lt. Clint Antipala clashed with some 20 NPA rebels during a 20-minute firefight in Barangay Bacalon in Magallanes town also in Sorsogon.

The firefight came after the visit of Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Oban in his hometown in Barangay Pandan in Castilla, Sorsogon Tuesday to inaugurate a two-room school building.

Maj. Angelo Guzman, spokesperson for the 9th Infantry Division said members of the 903rd Infantry Brigade under Col. Felix Castro are conducting hot pursuit operations against the rebels.

Guzman said all troops in Bicol are also on high alert, while coordination and intelligence sharing with the PNP is being enhanced to avoid similar incidents.

– Celso Amo, Michelle Zoleta, Mike Frialde