2 cops killed, 2 missing in Mindoro clash with Reds

MANILA, Philippines — Two policemen were killed and eight others were wounded in an encounter with suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro yesterday.

Two other policemen remain missing.

A police report identified one of the fatalities as Executive M/Sgt. Jonathan Alvarez.

S/Sgts. Dexter Sagun, Edwin Vergara, Michael Sualog, Michael Enero and Nolito Develos; Cpl. Kim Jason Dimalaluan, and Pat. Amando Pulido and Danny Soriano were wounded.

Police said the clash between members of the First Occidental Mindoro Provincial Mobile Force Company and NPA guerrillas occurred in Sitio Banban in Barangay Nicolas at around 10:30 a.m.

Lt. Col. Imelda Tolentino, Mimaropa police spokesperson, said the policemen were on their way to their camp after a three-day caravan when they were attacked.

It was not immediately known if the rebels suffered casualties.

Meanwhile, in Batangas, Sgt. Froilan Guyala of the Intelligence Special Action Force was wounded in an ambush by suspected NPA rebels in Rosario, Batangas on Thursday.

Guyala was brought to the AFP Medical Center in Quezon City for treatment.

A certain Rolando Obal, 56, was arrested in pursuit operations. He reportedly yielded a 9mm pistol, a grenade and ammunition.

Initial investigation showed Guyala was driving his Toyota Innova when he was waylaid in Barangay Macalamcam B. The NPA rebels were on two motorcycles.