NPAs raid, seize FAs, ammos of Balangkayan town police

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 8): NPAs raid, seize FAs, ammos of Balangkayan town police

Approximately 25 armed men believed to be members of the New People's Army (NPA) raided the Balangkayan Municipal Police Station (MPS) in the evening of March 07, 2016 at around 7:30.

According to Eastern Samar Provincial Police Office (ESPPO), the NPA rebels rode two public utility vehicles (PUV) named Duptours — which they chartered — and made  surprise attack to the elements of the Balangkayan MPS who were having their dinner.

Balangkayan is about an hour drive from the province capital, Borongan city, from where the two vans originated, ferrying the rebels.

In a separate interview, it appeared that the two drivers of the chartered passenger vans did not suspect of any wrong-doing that was to transpire on their passengers.

At a certain point of the national highway, it surprised the drivers why they were ordered to get out of the driver’s seat and off the vehicles sped-off, leaving them in the open road.

Later the drivers knew, that the group took a different route and proceeded to the next town  where they held up the  municipal police station.

In the initial report of the ESPPO however, no fire fight ever ensued in the incident as the policemen were likewise caught by surprise by the rebels, some of them were non-Visayan speaking men, said the police report.

The report added that the rebels bound the policemen on duty and carted away nine units of M16 rifles,  four  units  of 9MM pistol with magazines, one  shot gun, assorted ammunitions, one  unit  desktop computer set, two   laptop computers, cellphone of the Balangkayan MPS hotline, personal cellphones, two books on the Revised Penal Code,  police uniforms and other personal belongings of the PNP personnel.

As of this writing, the van was found abandoned in brgy. San Gabriel, Maydolong, E. Samar, the report added.

The Balangkayan  MPS is headed by Police Senior Inspector (PSI) Gilbert B. Colima, Chief of Police and under him are SPO-4 Honorato B. Montero, Jr. Deputy, Chief of Police; SPO2 Edward Anthony Elardo, SPO1 Bimbo Monico B. Marasigan, Jr.. PO3 Jeffrey B. Voloso, PO3 Elmer Opriasa, PO2 Dexter B. Cernal, PO2 Joecel Obedientes, PO1 Luis Philip Azura, Jr., PO1 Glen Edsel C. Operario, PO1 Jelfer Baris, PO1 Jazel Globio,  PO1 Groway M. Globio and Non-Uniformed Personnel (NUP) Annabele Capones.

There is now an ongoing hot pursuit operation and a thorough investigation of the ESPPO and PNP-Regional Office No. 8.

Meanwhile, all police stations were alerted and directed to conduct checkpoints.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1231457417076/npas-raid-seize-fas-ammos-of-balangkayan-town-police