Insurgents raid police precinct in Aurora

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — At least 40 heavily armed men believed to be members of the New People’s Army (NPA) raided a police community precinct in Maria, Aurora early dawn yesterday and carted away four high-powered firearms.

Chief Superintendent Ismael Rafanan, Police Regional Office-3 (PRO3) director, said the raid occurred at about 3:30 a.m. where the three policemen on duty at the Police Community Precinct located in Barangay Damina, Maria town were caught surprised when the rebels arrived on board unknown vehicles.

The rebels, armed with high-powered firearms at gunpoint took the firearms of the policemen which include two M-14 rifle, one-M16 rifle, one M-16 rifle with M203 and one caliber .45 pistol, said Rafanan.

"Immediately after the raid, I ordered the creation of Task Force Damina to track down the rebels who fled towards a mountainous area," said Rafanan.

The police precinct, under the Aurora Provincial Mobile Group is manned by seven policemen, said Senior Superintendent Perfecto Palad, deputy regional director for administration.

The seven policemen yesterday were ordered relieved from their post and under pre-charge investigation following the raid, said Palad.

He said Senior Inspector Leandro Novella, head of the Provincial Mobile Group will also be investigated for command responsibility.

The investigation committee will be composed of Regional Intelligence Office (RIO), Regional Investigation and Intelligence Division (RIID), Regional Logistics Division and Crime Laboratory Office-3, he said.

Rafanan said the investigation is to determine their (policemen) administrative liability regarding the taking of the firearms.

He said as of yesterday, combined Aurora police and 48th Army Infantry Battalion supported by a UH helicopter are still under hot pursuit against the rebels. — Ric Sapnu