In Catanduanes, 2 cops killed, 4 others wounded in bomb blast, ambush staged by NPA rebels

LEGAZPI CITY—Two policemen were killed while four others, including a town police chief, were wounded in attacks staged by suspected communist rebels in Viga town in Catanduanes province on Thursday afternoon.

A report from the Bicol regional police said PO1 Eva Torcilino and PO3 Joseph Tupue of the Viga police were killed in the ambush staged by suspected New People’s Army rebels in the village of Sagrada.

Senior Insp. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson, said among the wounded were Senior Insp. Ernesto Montes Jr., Viga police chief; SPO1 Marwin de Vera; and two drug surrenderers.

Calubaquib said an explosion hit two police vans carrying policemen and 10 drug suspects while they were on their way to Virac town at 11:20 a.m.

The explosion, which wounded a policeman and two drug suspects, was followed by gunfire from at least 20 NPA rebels, Calubaquib said.

The next attack happened at 1:40 p.m. when policemen, led by Montes, returned to the encounter site in Sitio Pinarayan, and were ambushed by rebels.

A firefight ensued, killing two policemen.

Montes, who was hit in the back, was taken to Viga District Hospital. —MAR S. ARGUELLES