Army officer ambushed in Nueva Ecija

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga  –  An army officer was gunned down by unidentified armed men suspected to be members of the New People’s Army hitmen along the national highway in Bgy. Mangang Marikit, Guiamba, Nueva Ecija, yesterday.

Sketchy reports reaching the office of Public Information chief, Sr. Insp. Jhoan Ponseca, identified the fatality as Army 2nd Lt. Rolly Agonon, a member of Special Operation Team, officer of the 71st Infantry Battalion, Bravo Company based in Fort Magsasay.

Agonon was on board his motorcycle on its way to detachment when he was ambushed by unidentifed gunmen in Bgy. Mangang Marikit at about 8:30 a.m., said Ponseca.

The army officer suffered multiple gunshot wounds in the different parts of the body and died while being treated in a nearby hospital.

Several empty shells of different calibers were recovered by responding policemen, the report said.

Sr. Supt. Alex Monteagudo, Nueva Ecija Provincial police director, immediately ordered Guimba Police and Provincial Mobile Group (PMG) to launch pursuit operations against the rebels who fled towards unknown directions. — Ric Sapnu