NPA attacks police convoy in Davao

MANILA, Philippines - The New People’s Army (NPA) bombed a police convoy in Davao del Norte on Friday afternoon.

Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Public Affairs Office, said a convoy of policemen carrying civilians, including ABS-CBN correspondent Clair Cornelio, had just conducted relief operations at Sitio Nasilaban when they were attacked by the NPA rebels.

Zagala said the landmine explosion occurred at Sitio Opao, Barangay Palma Gil in Talaingod town at around 2:30 p.m.

No one was hurt in the attack.

“Police and military operatives have secured the area and are now pursuing the NPAs behind the attack,” Zagala said.

The military condemned the communist group’s rampant use of improvised explosive devices such as landmines.

The NPA recently launched a series of attacks on government facilities and police stations in the provinces using landmines.

Last March, Zagala said the rebels attacked Matanao police station, leaving two policemen dead.

At least 17 soldiers and civilians were hurt in a landmine explosion set up by the rebels along the road in Bansalan town, Davao del Sur last month.

The rebels also bombed an ambulance dispatched to transport the wounded victims.