4 cops killed in Sorsogon NPA attack

MANILA, Philippines - Officials of the Philippine National Police condemned yesterday that attack by New People’s Army rebels against a team of policemen who were about to conduct a community out-reach program for the victims of typhoon Ondoy late Monday afternoon in Sorsogon.

The attack on Monday at around 1:30 p.m. at the vicinity of Barangay Antipolo, Bulan town, Sorsogon left four policemen and an NPA killed, three police officers wounded.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said hot pursuit operations are now being conducted to arrest the attackers while security has been beefed up to prevent similar attacks.

“We condemn in the strongest possible term the act of terrorism against our policemen who were about to conduct civic actions in a barangay in Bulan for the victims of typhoon Santi,” Espina said.

Reports reaching Camp Crame identified those killed as Inspector Jerson de Leon, SPO1 Johnson Gerola, PO2 Darwin Detoit, and PO1 Ryan Padrique, members of the 509th Police Provincial Mobile Group.

Police said wounded victims were PO1 Frans Guamos, PO1 Alain Lanuza, PO1 Alwin Baldano, who were taken to a nearby hospital.

Espina noted that PO1 George Gordan, who was reported to be missing after the attack, was able to return to the police camp.

Prior to the attack, Espina said the team of De Leon was about to conduct an outreach program for the victims of typhoon Santi in Bulan when they received information that a house nearby was being ransacked by the NPA.

The police team responded but they later learned that the rebels had left, prompting them to proceed to their community program.

“When they were about to leave the place, landmines, which were apparently planted earlier, exploded killing the four police officers. Other policemen were able to fire back, killing one NPA,” said Espina.

Reportedly, five suspected NPA rebels ransacked the house of a certain Garry Gayola in Barangay J.P. Laurel in Bulan. De Leon’s team was sent to Barangay J.P. Laurel to extend police assistance to the robbery victim.