Reds kill cop in Northern Samar

MANILA, Philippines — Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were tagged in the killing of a policeman in Lapinig, Northern Samar on Monday.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said Lt. Kenneth Tad-awan was conducting preventive patrol in Barangay
Look when he was shot at around 6:40 a.m.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of police Lt. Tad-awan. Rest assured that we will immediately provide the needed
financial support and other social benefits for his family,” Carlos said.

Joint police and military teams are hunting down the rebels.

The incident followed the killing of Pfc. John Jeffry Dabalos, 22, in an encounter with NPA rebels in the hinterlands of Barangay Senonogan de Tubang in Silvino Lobos, Northern Samar on Saturday.

Capt. Ryan Layug, 8th Infantry Division public affairs office chief, said Dabalos’ remains arrived to a hero’s homecoming in Calbayog, Samar on Monday.

Dabalos was posthumously awarded the Military Merit Medal with a bronze spearhead device for gallantry in combat. He was also posthumously promoted to the rank of corporal.

2 bomb couriers surrender

Meanwhile, in South Cotabato, two NPA bomb couriers surrendered in T’boli town over the weekend.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, 6th Infantry Division commander, withheld the identities of the surrenderees pending their relocation to a safe area.

The former rebels told reporters that they served as couriers of improvised explosive devices used in bombing public transportation and construction equipment when the owners refused to give protection money on a monthly basis.

Uy said the surrenderees turned over their firearms and grenade launchers to the 5th Special Force Battalion in Barangay Laconon. – John Unson, Miriam Desacada