TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Philippines – A policeman and a suspected rebel were killed in an encounter between lawmen and communist guerrillas in Loreto, Agusan del Sur, authorities said on Tuesday.
Loreto Mayor Dario Otaza identified the slain policeman as PO2 Danny Suhayon of the Agusan del Sur Provincial Public Safety Company.
Otaza told the Philippine Daily Inquirer by text message the firefight erupted as elements of the PPSC and troops from the 131st Regional Public Safety Company under Inspectors Aldrine Camu and Ryan Anthony Ocampo, respectively, were patrolling an area of Barangay (village) Binucayan around 4 p.m. Monday.
He said about 30 gunmen believed to be from the Guerrilla Front 3 of the New People’s Army, led by an alias Rigor, fired at the patrolling policemen, sparking a 30-minute gunfight that killed Suhayon and an unidentified male insurgent.
Otaza, quoting a police report, said another policeman, PO1 Rodnillo Gier, was wounded and rushed to a hospital for treatment.
Lawmen were able to recover several firearms, explosives and rebel-related documents left behind by the fleeing guerrillas, Insp. Aldrin Salinas, Loreto police chief, said.
Pursuit operations have been mounted against the rebels, he added.