Agusan del Norte governor’s convoy ambushed; cop escort injured

DAVAO CITY – A policeman was injured when suspected communist guerrillas opened fire at the convoy of Agusan del Norte Gov. Maria Angelica Amante-Matba in Nasipit town on Thursday, the military reported Friday.

Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, deputy chief of the 4th Infantry Division’s public affairs office, said Matba’s convoy was heading to Camagong village for the formal turnover of a school building when fired at by New People’s Army rebels at around 11:20 a.m.

“The escorting police and soldiers were able to immediately respond and fire back and successfully pushed back the enemy,” Martinez said, adding that Matba was immediately evacuated to a safer place.

The wounded policeman, whose identity was not divulged, was brought to a hospital in Butuan City and is now in stable condition, Martinez said.
Government forces are now conducting pursuit operations against the fleeing rebels, he added.

The NPA, which is involved in the longest-running armed communist movement in Southeast Asia, was set to celebrate its 46th anniversary on March 29. AU