Police officer killed, 3 wounded in Bukidnon NPA ambush

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 4, 2020): Police officer killed, 3 wounded in Bukidnon NPA ambush (By Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy)

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, Jan. 30 (PIA) -- A police officer was killed while three were wounded in an alleged New People’s Army (NPA) ambush at Km 26, Tikalaan, Talakag, Bukidnon on Wednesday, January 29 at 6:40 in the morning.

In a spot report from Police Regional Office 10 (PRO-10) public information office, an undetermined number of rebels ambushed the team of Directorate for Integrated Police Operations-Eastern Mindanao (DIPO-EM) led by Deputy Director PBGen Joselito Salido, with seven officers from 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) of Bukidnon Police provincial office.

The first burst of fire hit the PMFC patrol car but failed to snipe the driver and front-seat passenger who were the targets. The suspects hit the police force seated at the back instead.

A brief firefight ensued killing PCpl Roel Sumaylo on-the-spot and wounding three others namely PCpt. Gigi Ramil, PCpl Jerwin Genilla, and PSMS Giovanni Malinab.

The rebels then scampered away into the forest after the brief gunfight, leaving their backpacks and an unexploded bomb.

The DIPO-EM team’s unmarked vehicle following the PMFC patrol car was unscathed.

Police BGen. Rolando B. Anduyan, PRO 10 Regional Director, ordered a joint AFP-PNP hot pursuit operations and in-depth probe.

The police team was reportedly on its way to Bukidnon from Cagayan de Oro onboard three vehicles when the rebels attacked.

In an interview, PRO 10 spokesperson Mardy Hortillosa said the victim’s family is assured of the government’s help with an estimated sum of P1 million.

He said the wounded PNP officers who are now recuperating at Polymedic Plaza in Cagayan de Oro City would also receive financial assistance.

PBGen. Anduyan condemns this treacherous act of the NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

“This CPP-NPA’s treachery deserves the condemnation of civil society. This only showed the rebels’ cowardice and weakness in an attempt to discredit PNP and destroy the homeland,” Anduyan said. (MMH, PRO 10 PIO/RLRB, PIA Bukidnon)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1034010