2 cops sacked after attack by NPA

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna—The police chief of Roxas town in Palawan and his deputy were sacked from their posts following a raid by communist guerrillas that left one policeman dead and another wounded.

Chief Supt. Melito Mabilin, police director in Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), on Thursday said Insp. Magdalino Pimentel, Roxas police chief, and Insp. Aldrin Atienza, Pimentel’s deputy, were relieved from their duties.

Mabilin said Pimentel was replaced by Senior Insp. Pedro Barra Jr.

“The deputy was supposed to take over but incidentally, he was with the chief of police (at the time of the raid) so I had to relieve him, too,” Mabilin said.

He said Pimentel and Atienza were at a wedding of their classmate in Puerto Princesa City, leaving only six policemen on duty when their station was attacked.

At least 20 rebels wearing Marine uniforms stormed the Roxas police station past

9 a.m. on Wednesday.

The armed men introduced themselves as members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and took with them several firearms that included an

M-16 Armalite rifle and .45 cal. pistols, said Senior Supt. Reynaldo Jagmis, Palawan police director.

The raid also left SPO3 Mancito Rabang dead and SPO2 Pablo Acosta wounded.

Authorities on Wednesday recovered the two vans used by the rebels and found their drivers. The vans were abandoned by the rebels some

10 kilometers from the police station of Roxas. The drivers told police they had been hired by the rebels that they though were policemen.

Mabilin condemned Wednesday’s attack by the rebels.

“If they really were for the welfare of the citizens, why attack now when Roxas is still recovering from the damage of the typhoon? I mean, why even do it?” Mabilin said.

Roxas was one of the towns in Palawan hardest hit by Typhoon “Pablo.” Jagmis said his men had just come from weeks of rescue operations and relief distribution for the typhoon victims when they were attacked.