Cop killed, 5 hurt in ambush in Borongan, Eastern Samar

TACLOBAN CITY – A policeman was killed while five others were wounded in an ambush allegedly staged by members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Borongan City, Eastern Samar on Friday afternoon.

The fatality was identified as Patrolman Mike Rama.

Based on the initial report of the Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas (PRO-8) based in Palo town in Leyte province, seven policemen from the Public Safety Force were on board their patrol vehicle in Barangay Libutan at about 2:53 p.m. when they were waylaid by an undetermined number of rebels.

A loud explosion believed to be from an improvised explosive device was heard followed by bursts of gunfire, the report said.

Rama was subsequently found dead while five others were injured. One policeman was unharmed.

They were all brought to the Eastern Samar Provincial Hospital.

The identities of the casualties have yet to be revealed as of press time.

Brigadier General Ferdinand Divina, head of the PRO-8, condemned the attack, calling it “treacherous.”

Last November 11, six soldiers were killed and 20 others were injured in an encounter with alleged NPA members in Sitio Bangon, Barangay Pinanag-an, Borongan City.