MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine National Police has lauded the brave policemen who quickly repulsed dozens of New People’s Army rebels who attacked a police station in Davao Oriental on Sunday night.
“Policemen in Mati showed their alertness, operational readiness for quickly repulsing the attackers. The encounter only lasted for about 15 to 20 minutes,” PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. said in an interview Monday.
Two NPA rebels died in the gunfight after some 50 armed rebels, disguised as soldiers, barged into the Mati Police Station in Madang Village and started to open fire around 7 p.m. Sunday.
Three soldiers from a military team out to reinforce the beleaguered policemen died while four were hurt in a landmine explosion set off by the NPA.
After the deadly incident, Cerbo said PNP units in the Davao Region remains on high alert.
“Hindi na natin maalis sa lugar na nandoon ‘yung threat of possible attacks ng NPA and communist terrorists operating in Region 11,” he said.
(The threat of attacks by the NPA and communist terrorists operating in Region 11 will always be present.)
Asked to comment on the consecutive attacks on police forces in Mindanao, Cerbo said terrorism has long been the motive of communist rebels.
“It has been the rebels’ motive to terrorize the people and the police who are quietly serving the public,” he said.