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[av_heading heading=’MAASIN AMBUSH ‘Terrorist’ tag angers rebels ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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ILOILO City – A day after the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) branded insurgents as terrorists, the New People’s Army (NPA) ambushed policemen in Sitio Camansi, Barangay Bolo, Maasin, Iloilo.
Around 6 p.m. yesterday, the rebels set off two command-detonated landmines that damaged a 6×6 truck of the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) then sprayed with bullets the stunned policemen in the truck.
Twelve policemen were wounded and one died, according to Senior Inspector Felix Alianza Jr., Maasin police chief.
The RPSB policemen were on their way back to the town center from Barangay Dagami, Maasin when ambushed.
It was unclear as of this writing how many rebels attacked the RPSB team led by Chief Inspector Edyliz Richie Crucero.
The lone casualty was Police Officer 1 Joefel Talamor Odon, 31, of Cabatuan, Iloilo.
On Thursday, PRO-6 director Chief Superintendent Cesar Hawthorne Binag ordered offensives against the NPA across Western Visayas after rebels ambushed policemen of Sibalom, Antique.
An “act of terrorism” was how the PRO-6 described the Sibalom ambush.
“The PRO-6 is ready to fight,” declared Binag.
While the ambush in Sibalom left four policemen wounded, there were 12 in the Maasin attack. They were Police Officers 1 Vincent Yusay, Jacob Delejero, Noli Talento, Rolando Lozada Jr., Joy Melvin Dulce, Kim Iver Cornel, Mark Paul Banquillo, Marlon Arbuez, Joseph Gonzales, Eduardo Infante Jr., April Rey Ansag, and a certain Elvie Bachiller.
These cops were taken to the Ramon Tabiana Memorial District Hospital in Cabatuan and Western Visayas Medical Center in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.
Maasin is some 25 kilometers from Iloilo City.
The NPA in Panay has been lately stepping up their offensives, prompting the PRO-6 to appeal for public help. It urged Ilonggos to report the presence of rebels to the police and military.
Five months ago, on June 18, the rebels stormed the police station of Maasin and immobilized nine police officers.
The daring, broad daylight incursion was swift. Within 15 minutes beginning around 10:30 a.m., the rebels shanghaied M16 rifles, 9mm pistols and handheld radios.
The rebels did not harm the nine police officers but handcuffed them. They also used the police station’s patrol car to flee.
The rebels were long gone when troops from the RPSB reached the police station.
Ka Julio Montana, spokesperson of the NPA-Panay (Coronacion Chiva “Waling-Waling” Command) issued a statement praising the NPA-Napoleon Tumagtang Command for the successful operation.
Not a gun a fired, noted Montana.
According to PRO-6 spokesperson Superintendent Gilbert Gorero, the police and Philippine Army “at all times are ready to defend the Constitution from terroristic acts and preserve peace.”
On Wednesday, the government terminated the peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front four days after President Rodrigo Duterte said he would declare the NPA a terrorist group.
“The more we tolerate them the more they will sabotage peace and order,” said Binag.
On Nov. 12, rebels fired at the detachment of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office’s 3rd Maneuver Platoon in Barangay Bolo, Maasin./PN
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