NPAs ambush North Cotabato mayor's convoy, 3 cops hurt

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 27): NPAs ambush North Cotabato mayor's convoy, 3 cops hurt

A town mayor in North Cotabato narrowly survived an ambush by suspected New People's Army (NPA) in President Roxas, North Cotabato but three of his escorts were hurt, the Army here said.

Police Officers Castillo, Illagas and Avena, escorts of President Roxas Mayor Jaime Mahingpit was slightly wounded when a land mine exploded as the mayor’s vehicle was passing by a dirt road, according to Army Colonel Nilo Vinluan, 57th Infantry Battalion Commander.

Vinluan said the land mining act by the New People's Army was probably due to Mahingpit’s refusal to provide the NPA with P1 million protection money.

“The mayor was unhurt but three his police escorts were hurt,” he said.

According to Vinluan, Mahingpit and the Army personnel deployed in President Roxas received reports about the presence of armed men and occurrence of gunfire in Barangay Datu Inda.

This prompted Mahingpit and his escorts to proceed to the village at about 3 p.m. when a land mine exploded followed by gun bursts from suspected NPAs.

“The mayor was immediately evacuated safely by our troops,” Vinluan said.

Vinluan said the NPA was asking the mayor P1 million before the local government can continue with the construction of a road in the barangay.

Army pursuit operation is still on-going.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=620506