Cop slain, 3 others wounded in clash with NPA in Isabela

SAN GUILLERMO, Isabela –– A policeman was killed and three others were wounded when government troops clashed with suspected New People’s Army rebels here at dawn on Tuesday.

Police Col. Mariano Rodriguez, Isabela police director, identified the fatality as Patrolman Henry Gayaman of the 205th Mobile Force Company of the regional police office.

Wounded were Gayaman’s fellow policemen identified as Patrolman Alfred Italiano, Patrolman Stephen Olosan, and Corporal Edison Binasoy.

Rodriguez said rebels from the Cagayan Valley guerrilla front engaged the patrolling policemen in a running gun battle in the mountain village of Burgos here at 5:30 a.m.

Police and the Philippine Army have launched a pursuit operation against the rebels./lzb