Iloilo cops escape unharmed after NPA attack
ILOILO CITY – The police chief of Tubungan town and four of his men escaped unharmed after an improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated alleged by Communist insurgents just as their mobile car passed by Barangay Balicua in Tubungan, Iloilo, Thursday afternoon.
Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) Director Col. Gilbert Gorero said Tubungan chief of police Lt. Jose Romel Samson was with his men onboard a police vehicle when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated by the road side.
With Samson were police officers Jasper Ryan Bastonero, Wendel Ebro and Orlando Famisaran, as well as Executive Master Sergeant Felix Tabago.
Gorero said the IED could have been planted and detonated by the New People’s Army (NPA).
The leadership of Police Regional Office (PRO-6) condemned the December 17 attack.
“Their violent act simply shows the real character of the NPA, which intends to destroy the peace and order, create havoc and spread terror in the town of Tubungan,” said PRO-6 Director Brig. Gen. Rolando Miranda.
In a statement, Miranda also condemned the use of IEDs that could have wounded not only police officers or soldiers, but also civilians.
Miranda vowed that PRO-6 units across Western Visayas region will remain vigilant against the NPA as its mother organization the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) is set to celebrate its founding anniversary on December 26.
