(Update changing dateline) 2 more NPAs die in North Cotabato following foiled attempt to overrun police office

From the Philippine News Agency (May 21): (Update changing dateline) 2 more NPAs die in North Cotabato following foiled attempt to overrun police office

Two more communist guerillas were killed Tuesday night in a follow up operations conducted by the military after the rebels tried but failed to overrun a police office in North Cotabato, raising the death toll to five, the military said.

Colonel Nilo Vinluan, commander of the 57th Infantry Battalion, said the two members of the New Peoples Army (NPA) were killed during pursuit operations in Barangay Bagumbayan, Magpet, North Cotabato, hours after the rebels attacked the police office in President Roxas town, also in North Cotabato.

In the early morning attempt by the rebels, three NPA rebels were killed in action while another was rushed to hospital for treatment.

Vinluan identified the fatalities as Ronald Arnado, alias "Kumander Revo," an alias "Totoy Gamay," and Ibot Gumay, of Sitio Buay-Buay, Basak, Magpet, North Cotabato. Orly Gabison, another NPA member of Amabel, Magpet, was wounded and was brought to the Cotabato provincial hospital.

Senior Inspector Bernabe Rubio, police chief of President Roxas and another subordinate were wounded during the hour-long exchange of bullets between about 70 armed men, led by Commander Revo and the 15 obviously outnumbered policemen.

Rubio said one of his men fired the first shot when he noticed armed men surrounding the two-storey police office.

"One of my men fired the first shot and gun bursts did not stop until the rebels retreated," Rubio, who suffered cuts on his head, told reporters.

"We have the intelligence reports that the NPAs will try to overrun our office, so we prepared," Rubio said.

Rep. Nancy Catamco of North Cotabato's 2nd district, is set to file resolution commending Rubio and his men for gallantry defending their office.

Interior and Local Government Sec. Mar Roxas also commended Rubio for the job well done and reiterated the PNP's commitment to protect communities.

"This incident demonstrates the firm resolve of the men and women of the PNP to carry out their mandate of ensuring peace and security in our communities, whatever the odds. I expect PNP units all over the country to maintain such standard," Roxas said.

North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Mendoza condemned the NPA attack, calling it atrocious and terrorists act.

"We, therefore, condemn any act of atrocity or of terrorism in our province in the midst of all our efforts of finding a lasting solution to these armed conflicts and thereby achieve peace. We urge those responsible for these illegal acts to stop them in order to enhance the healthy dynamism of the process of forging a lasting peace," Mendoza said.

Mayor Jaime Mahimpit of President Roxas assured his constituents the local government is in control of the situation.

Vinluan said he was saddened the NPA had to attack a police office and leave their fallen comrades behind.

"It pains me to see NPAs and soldiers getting killed in encounters when we could have sit down and talk, it pains me to see Filipinos fighting each other," Vinluan.

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