Cop killed in NPA ambush in Iloilo

ILOILO CITY – A policeman was killed and 10 others were wounded in an ambush staged by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Iloilo around 6 p.m. Friday.

The casualties were from the Regional Public Safety Battalion of the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO-6) who were attacked by an undetermined number of suspected rebels at Sitio (sub-village) Camansi in Barangay Bolo in Maasin town, 31 kilometers northeast of here.

Two of the wounded were brought to the Ramon Tabiana Memorial District Hospital in neighboring Cabatuan town while eight were brought to hospitals in Iloilo City.

The PRO-6 identified the lone fatality as PO1 Jofer Odon.

The wounded were initially identified as Inspector Dulce and Police Officers 1 Bachiller, Lozada, Yasay, Ansag, Talento, Cornel, Delejero, Banquillo and Bana-ay.

Last June 18, NPA rebels raided and overran the Maasin police station before fleeing with 15 firearms including 12 high-powered rifles.

The clash was the second in three days following an ambush of NPA rebels in Sibalom town in Antique on Wednesday wherein three policemen were wounded.

The rebels detonated improved explosive devices before firing at policemen of the municipal police force who were in two vehicles in Barangay Bontol in Sibalom.

The clashes occurred after President Duterte ordered the cancellation of peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front, an umbrella or underground organizations including the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the NPA.