Police officer shot dead by NPA rebels in Sorsogon town

LEGAZPI CITY—A police officer was shot dead early Wednesday by three suspected communist rebels in Barangay (village) Poblacion in Barcelona, Sorsogon, a police official said.

Senior Police Officer 1 Antonio Furio, 51, was attending an alumni homecoming at the Barcelona Comprehensive National High School when three members of the NPA’s hit group known as the Sparrow Unit approached and shot him at close range shortly after midnight Tuesday, said Senior Inspector Ayn Natuel, spokesperson of the Bicol-police.

Natuel said Furio sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was dead on arrival at the Gubat District Hospital.

The gunmen immediately fled as the crowd broke into panic, added Natuel.

Crime investigators recovered three empty shells from a 9 mm handgun and two empty shells from a .45 cal. pistol at the crime scene.

Responding policemen pursued the killers and scoured the neighboring Barangay San Isidro where the rebels fled.