Cop killed in Bukidnon rebel attack

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines - A police officer was killed while three others were wounded when group of suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas stormed the police station in Kibawe, Bukidnon early yesterday morning.

Senior Police Officer 2 Rodelfin Alonzo died while he and his companions were trying to protect the station from 30 to 40 rebels, according to provincial police director Glenn dela Torre.

He said the three wounded police officers were rushed to a hospital in Kibawe for treatment of gunshot wounds.

The official said the armed men arrived in four vans and three pickup trucks at about 5:30 a.m. He said the rebels escaped in the same vehicles taking several firearms with them.

Authorities have yet to determine the firearms carted away by the rebel.

The police and the military launched a joint pursuit operation against the attackers, according to Capt. Christian Uy, spokesman for the Army’s 4th Infantry Division based in this.

The fleeing rebels reportedly detonated an improvised explosive device in Barangay Migcawayan in Damulog town to apparently prevent the pursuing police and military team.

No one was hurt in the explosion, but shrapnel hit the vehicle of the regional public safety battallion .

Meanwhile, a grenade found near the Kibawe municipal hall hours after the attack, prompted authorities to suspend work and classes in the villages of Sanipon, Tumaras, Mascarinas and Marapangi. – With Jaime Laude, Edith Regalado