Civilian killed, retired cop hurt in Sorsogon ambush

LEGAZPI CITY– A civilian died while a retired police officer is now in critical condition after they were ambushed in Barangay Luneta in Barcelona town in Sorsogon, the police said.

Senior Superintendent Joel Regondola, Sorsogon police provincial director, said that retired SPO2 Jose Gading was driving a motorcycle home with a certain Noel Evasco as backrider from the house of a certain Bitok Habulan when they were flagged down by four unidentified armed men in Sitio Dasik at about 8:30 p.m. Saturday. The unidentified armed men believed to be New People’s Army rebels suddenly fired at them, hitting them on the different parts of the body.

Despite the bullet wounds, Gading was able to extricate himself from the ambush site and asked for help while the NPA rebels also left towards the direction of Barangay Tagdan.

Evasco died due to multiple gunshot wounds on arrival at the Sorsogon Doctor’s Hospital while Gading is still in critical condition after having been operated from multiple gunshot wounds.

Immediately upon learning of the incident, Police Inspector Eilizor Dy-Cok, Barcelona police chief, went to investigate and recovered 10 empty shells and one slug from a caliber 45 pistol.

Meanwhile, four NPA rebels were captured in Barangay Macantal in Baras town, Catanduanes Friday.

Major Ronald Rosario, Southern Luzon head of the Civil Relations Service(CRS) identified the NPA rebels as Sonny Chavez, Analiza Cadena, Jessibel and Marissa Tanael.

Rosario said that poor villagers who resented the extortion of the NPA rebels in the area tipped the authorities. The rebels were inside the house of the barangay secretary when they were surrounded and forced to surrender by Army troopers led by 2nd Lt. Eddemag Simano.

Recovered from the NPA rebels were 10 pieces of subversive VCD tapes, voluminuous CPP-NPA propaganda materials, two pieces of upper body camouflage uniform, a dental kit and personal belongings.

Rosario said the rebels belong to COMPROB "Pusa" Isla.