Dad, cop hurt in NPA attack

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines—A town councilor and a policeman were wounded on Friday after suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels attacked a police patrol car that was heading for a remote village in Daraga, Albay, police said.

Wounded in the attack were Daraga Municipal Councilor Mark Magalona and SPO4 John Mallorca of the Daraga police, according to Senior Supt. Marlo Meneses, Albay provincial police director.

Magalona was rushed to Aquinas University Hospital in Legazpi City, said Supt. Joel Ada, Daraga police chief.

He said Mallorca suffered a minor wound in the right shoulder and was treated at Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital.

Meneses, in a text message, said a group of suspected rebels waylaid the police car around 9:25 a.m. on Friday while it was on the road in Barangay Bigao, a hinterland village.

The five policemen on board the patrol car were able to return fire but the councilor and Mallorca were hit in the gunfight. The suspected NPA rebels retreated when police reinforcement arrived, Meneses said.

Meneses said the policemen were in Bigao to provide security for the barangay consultation meeting scheduled in the area by Daraga Mayor Gerry Jaucian and the members of the town council.

Magalona rode in the police patrol car because he was left behind by his companions who went ahead in a convoy of vehicles led by the mayor. Mar S. Arguelles and Ma. April Mier, Inquirer Southern Luzon