(Update) Armed men abduct police chief, 2 hurt in Gov. Generoso town attack

From the Philippine News Agency (May 30): (Update) Armed men abduct police chief, 2 hurt in Gov. Generoso town attack

The police chief of the coastal town of Governor Generoso in Davao Oriental was abducted while a police officer and one civilian were wounded when an undetermined number of armed men attacked the Municipal Hall and the police station on Sunday evening.

GovGen Mayor Vicente Orencia confirmed reports that Police Chief Inspector Arnold Ongachen was taken by the armed men in their escape after an almost three-hour firefight with police.

Orencia also revealed that PO3 John Rey Cinco and a civilian were wounded during the incident. A police officer identified as PO3 Eduardo Garrido was also reported missing but it has yet to be confirmed.

In a phone interview, Orencia said they have received reports that the armed men belong to the New People's Army (NPA).

He would not also confirm if the attack is politically motivated following reports that the attackers were men of a losing mayoral candidate who has maintained a private army and has connections with sea pirate group.

Orencia, who is on the way out after finishing his three term, will be replaced by her daughter.

"I received reports about the other group (mayoral candidate) until I will receive the full incident report. The CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) is also conducting a parallel investigation," Orencia said.

 

 

But he admitted they have been receiving threats during the campaign.

Orencia also corrected earlier reports their house was strafed by the armed men.

According to Orencia, the armed men exited through the coast in board the motorboats.

If the attackers are NPA rebels, Orencia said it was the first incident involving the communist rebels.

Captain Rhyan Batchar, chief information officer of the 10th Infantry (Agila) Division said, “The attack lasted for nearly an hour before the attackers withdrew and took with them the police chief of Governor Generoso."

He said that the 10th ID immediately dispatched reinforcement to support the policemen but were prevented by a blocking force staged by the NPA along the national highway that connects Governor Generoso town from the municipalities of San Isidro and Lupon.

“Our troops saw used tired piled up in the national highway. We were not able to penetrate immediately because we suspect that armed men were also deployed nearby ready to stage and ambush and the possible landmines that were planted near the blocking area,” Batchar pointed out.

He recalled that during the attack in Mati City in February last year members of the reinforcement team were severely hit by a landmine planted by the NPAs near the brigade camp in the area that killed 4 army troopers.

Pursuit operations are now ongoing that are jointly conducted by the army and the PNP in the area, Batchar added.

Initial report on Sunday evening that reaching reporters in Davao City said the police force of Sigaboy (the former and popular name of Governor Generoso) fiercely fought the heavily armed NPA attackers to defend their station.

Unfortunately, the lawless elements were able to penetrate the station when the defending PNP men already ran out of ammunition a witness said in a phone interview.

It was also reported that only 14 policemen courageously fought the more than 50 armed NPA rebels on Sunday evening.

Batchar also said that the NPA forces from Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley and Davao del Norte merged their men to stage last Sunday’s attack in Governor Generoso.

He confirmed that combined forces from Section Committee (SECOM) 18 and the Pulang Bagani Command (PBC) 6 of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) of the NPA were responsible to the latest attack in Davao Oriental.

Batchar said the continuing pursuit operations will focus on the rescue of the abducted police chief in the area.

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