2 cops, 1 civilian wounded in NPA attack in Davao City

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Two policemen were wounded following an ambush by suspected communist rebels in a hinterland village here on Sunday, police said.

A civilian was also wounded when New People’s Army guerrillas opened fire on policemen providing assistance after a traffic accident along the Davao-Bukidnon highway at Sitio (Sub-village) New Calinan Baganihan in Marilog district around 1:25 p.m., Supt. Antonio Rivera, spokesperson of Southern Mindanao regional police, said.

Rivera identified the policemen as SPO2 Roger Sevillano and PO1 Marlon Comprada who were aboard Mobile 65 of the Marilog Police Station.

“An ambulance was already sent to get the wounded as an augmentation force, the Davao City public safety company (DCPSC) in coordination with the Philippine Army’s 84th Infantry Battalion were conducting follow-up operations,” Rivera told the Philippine Daily Inquirer by text message.

Sunday’s attack was the latest by the NPA in Mindanao. Last Friday, suspected rebels also ambushed two unarmed soldiers in La Paz, Agusan del Sur.

Lt. General Aurelio Baladad, Eastern Mindanao Command chief of the military, has condemned the Agusan attack, accusing the communist insurgents of engaging in plain banditry for allegedly robbing the slain soldiers of about P25,000 cash and other valuables.

“This incident only proves that NPA (rebels) are plain criminals, who are anti-people and anti-development. Our soldiers are facilitating development in the area when they were killed and robbed,” Baladad said.