Palace condemns Samar NPA attack that killed cop, boy, 3

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Saturday condemned the ambush by New People’s Army (NPA) fighters  on a police patrol in Borongan, Eastern Samar, resulting in the death of a policeman and a three-year-old boy.

“The loss of life and the violence experienced by the victims are reprehensible,” Presidential Communications secretary and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) Communications chief Martin Andanar said in a statement.

“We can only imagine the grief of their loved ones who would have spent the Christmas season with them in good health, had it not been for the senseless act of these terrorists. Our thoughts go out to all of you in this difficult time,” he added.

According to the Armed Forces of the Philippine Central Command Major Patrick Martinez, the NPA rebels ambushed a Toyota Hilux police pick-up and injured five police officers during the attack.

A patrolman, Mike Rama, was killed during the ambush.

A pedicab, who was following the police pick-up truck, was also hit during the attack. 

The blast and the gunfire also resulted in the death of the boy, and injuring three other civilians, Martinez added.

Samar Governor Ben Evardone called the incident “a heinous act of terror.”

“As Communications Chief NTF-ELCAC, we will continue to communicate and engage with local officials and civil society groups and convey the government’s resolve to end conflict,” Andanar assured. 

“Rest assured, this administration will continue its fight against terrorism and insurgency for the safety and security of all Filipinos, and in order to achieve true and lasting peace for the country,” he added. 

 Edited by MUF