1 cop killed, 8 others wounded, 2 missing in clash with NPA in Occidental Mindoro

CITY OF CALAPAN –– The Philippine National Police suffered a setback after a clash Friday with suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Magsaysay town of Occidental Mindoro that left one policeman dead, eight wounded, and two others missing.

The encounter took place at 10:30 a.m. in Sitio Banban in Barangay San Nicolas between the 1st Occidental Mindoro Provincial Mobile Force Co. and NPA rebels, said Lt. Col. Imelda Tolentino, information officer of the Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) police office.

Tolentino identified the slain policeman as Police Executive Master Sergeant Jonathan Alvarez.

The eight wounded policemen were Staff Sergeants Dexter Sagun, Edwin Vergara, Michael Sualog, Michael Enero, and Nolito Develos; Patrolmen Armando Pulido and Danny Soriano; and Corporal Kim Jason Dimalaluan.

Missing are Corporals Stan Gonggora and Nicolas Estocapio Jr., said Tolentino. INQ

LZB