PRO-Cor condemns NPA attack in Sagada

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 12): PRO-Cor condemns NPA attack in Sagada

BAUKO, Mountain Province -- The Police Regional Office – Cordillera condemns the criminal acts of the terrorists that led to the death of a police officer and wounding nine others in the “Peace Zone” town of Sagada.

Newly installed PRO-Cor Regional Director PCSupt. Rolando Nana strongly condemned the atrocities of the members of the CPP-NPA-Terrorists (CNT) against the police officers conducting routine peacekeeping efforts in the northern part of Sagada on June 5.

Personnel from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15 and Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Mountain Province Provincial Police Office were conducting peacekeeping operations following reports of activities by alleged criminals when they encountered the rebels at Mount Sipitan, Barangay Aguid in Sagada.

The encounter resulted in the killing of PO2 Henry Dion of Bauko, Mountain Province, and wounding of nine others including Team Leader PSupt. Joseph Cayat, PO3 Wilfred Manacnis, POI Aldrin Bocalan, PO1 Clarence Abuan, PO1 Antolin Potpoten, PO1 Xander Depnag, PO1 Jake Paat, PO1 Yasser Guzman and PO2 Regie Palome.

“Such action is considered an act of cowardice, and a desperate move to pursue their selfish motives and prevent the police force who have been aggressive in its peacekeeping efforts to secure the civilian populace especially in the remote areas,” Nana said.

The atrocities by the armed group in the scenic town also created fear among the people of Sagada and the tourists that come to the area.

He called on all chiefs of police to intensify their crime prevention efforts and strengthen security in their areas of responsibility and further step up their anti-criminality strategies. He also appealed to the public to join hands with the authorities and provide relevant, and timely information on similar incidents to the nearest police station or through social media. “PRO-COR leadership is appealing to the all stakeholders to assist authorities, by providing information to be used in filing criminal charges against the perpetrators, in order to give justice to the killed and wounded PNP personnel,” Nana said.

Despite the incidents, the Mountain Province PPO assured safety and security of tourists and the local residents as they continue to conduct follow up operations and maintain the peace and order in Sagada and other municipalities of the province.

Meanwhile, Nana awarded the Medalya ng Kadakilaan to PO2 Dion and provided financial assistance to the bereaved family.

He also awarded medals and provided initial financial assistance to the wounded cops when he visited them at the Luis Hora Memorial Hospital in Bauko.

“We assure the families of our policemen of the benefits to be given to them by the PNP for the courage they showed in the name of peace. This act that they showed is a manifestation of the government’s pursuit to ensure peace in the Cordillera region,” Nana said.

http://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1008878