The Philippine National Police on Friday condemned the ambush staged by communist rebels that left six people dead and three wounded in Negros Oriental.
“The PNP will not stop until the perpetrators are made to answer for the crime,” PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos said in a statement.
Members of the Guihulngan police were responding to a reported ambush of councilor Edison dela Ritta when they were ambushed by the New People’s Army in Barangay Magsaysay at about 10 a.m.
Six policemen were killed, including the town’s chief of police. They were identified as Supt. Arnel Arpon, SPO2 Necasio Tabilon, SPO1 Jesael Ancheta, PO3 Chouvic Agosto, PO2 Alvin Paul Bulandres, and PO2 Alfredo Lastimoso Dunque.
Three policemen were wounded: SPO4 Jerome Delara, PO3 Jordan Malderas and PO2 Jorie Maribao.
Carlos said the PNP supports President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to halt the peace talks with communist rebels.
“We will continue to perform our mandate of protecting lives, properties and territories from the attacks of the NPA rebels,” he said. Frances Mangosing