2 dead in NPA Misamis attack

DAVAO CITY ,Philippines  – A policeman and a New People’s Army rebel were killed and two others were wounded when at least 50 rebels stormed the town hall and police station of Medina, Misamis Oriental Thursday night.

Police said the rebels’ target was the office of Mayor Pacifico Popos, who was about to go home when the rebels attacked. The rebels also shot up his service vehicle.

The fatalities were identified as SPO4 Editho Bayhon and NPA squad leader Commander Hakim. SPO1 Diosdado Salas and SPO2 Renie Rombo were among those hurt in the assault.

A report said NPA rebels shot at resident Arthur Salazar, who turned back when the rebels tried to flag him down as he was about to drive his motorcycle into town. He was hit in the left leg. 

Witnesses said the rebels, armed with high-powered weapons, arrived in three vans when they attacked the police station and town hall at around 4 p.m.

Northern Mindanao regional director Chief Superintendent Conrado Laza said police officers manning the police station repulsed the rebels after a two-hour gunfight. He said they suspect many of the rebels were wounded when they fled.

Station commander Inspector James Gaylan said there were only seven police officers at the time of the attack since he and the rest of his men were out on patrol.

Maj. Eugenio Osias IV, spokesman for the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, said soldiers from the 403rd Infantry Brigade and 8th ID are pursuing the rebels.

Soldiers and policemen recovered an M16 rifle from the slain NPA leader and tracked down the rebels’ getaway vehicles abandoned in the outskirts of Barangay San Isidro.

Thursday’s assault is the second attempt by NPA rebels to overrun a police station in Mindanao in recent months. In June, around 250 rebels attacked the Trento, Agusan del Sur police station but were driven away by lawmen under the direction of a female station commander.  – With Ben Serrano, Jigger Jerusalem