Police, soldiers inspect the electrical wire used by communist rebels in setting off anti-personnel mines in Magpet, North Cotabato, which left one cop dead and 11 others hurt on Monday (Jan. 28). (Photo by North Cotabato PPO)
The military in North Cotabato has launched a manhunt against communist rebels, who set off two roadside bombs that left a police officer dead and injured 11 others on Monday night.
Col. Erlich Noel Paraso, commander of the 19th Infantry Battalion, said operations are ongoing at the mountains of Magpet, especially near the slopes of Mt. Apo, the country’s highest peak.
Senior Insp. Rolando Dillera, Magpet town police chief, identified the slain police officer as PO1 Christopher Anadon of the North Cotabato police mobile force.
Anadon, 29, of Parang, Maguindanao, was the driver of one of two police cars on patrol when the incident occurred.
“He was initially injured but later died at a hospital in Kidapawan City,” Dillera said.
The victims were on board police cars on their way back to the police office when two improvised explosive devices exploded in Purok Kabisig, Barangay Poblacion, Magpet, North Cotabato around 6 p.m.
Injured were SPO1s Michael Escaño and Wilfred Perocho; PO2s Marinerl Pastores and Dennis Durado; and PO1s Eliezer Langcuban, Darrell Ferolina, Phil Jan Ray Canarejo, Franz Deo Lechago, Stephenson Parreño, Mark Vincent Capilitan, and Francis Siniel.
An update said that aside from PO1s Parreño and Capilitan, all other injured personnel were discharged from the hospital.
Paraso said the roadside bombing was a desperate move of the terrorist New People's Army (NPA) to get back at government forces for the losses they incurred during military operations.
“We are hunting them down, we will get them, we know exactly where they are. It's just a matter of time that justice will be served,” Paraso said in a radio interview.
Paraso also challenged militant groups like Karapatan and Bayan Muna to issue a statement condemning the bombing against police officers.
“I challenge you to condemn the (NPA) atrocities, much as you condemn when there is a military operation,” he added.
Paraso assured that no civilians are affected in the ongoing military offensive.
He added that the bombing was a retaliatory attack against government forces after a rebel was killed and his son was injured during an encounter between government troops with NPA rebels in Barangay Bagumbayan, Magpet on Sunday morning.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1060342
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