Army commander relieved over raid on police station
MANILA, Philippines - An Army battalion commander was relieved following last week’s New People’s Army (NPA) raid on a police station and a town hall in Occidental Mindoro that killed a policeman and a soldier.
Lt. Col. Mario Africa was removed as 76th Infantry Battalion commander after troops in Paluan town were caught off guard when the rebels attacked and took the mayor and the town administrator as human shields in their escape.
Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command spokesman Maj. Angelo de Guzman said SOLCOM chief Maj. Gen. Ricardo Visaya replaced Africa with Lt. Col. Michael Licyayo.
Africa’s relief is part of standard operating procedure to hasten the military’s “pro-active moves” against the NPA, he added.
The military is still investigating the NPA raid.
Rebels in military uniform aboard two vans swooped down on the Paluan municipal hall and police station at about 3 p.m. last Friday.
After making their escape, they freed the mayor and municipal administrator.
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