TACLOBAN CITY - The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) mourns the death of a rookie cop Thursday (August 19) in an encounter against suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) in Silvino Lobos, Northern Samar.
Patrolman Mario Beter Caramol of the 805th Maneuver Company, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 8 (RMFB 8) was killed in a 10-minute clash between more or less ten armed rebels.
"This PRO strongly denounces the brutal encounter that resulted in the death of one of our comrades in the PNP service who gallantly and indomitably faced the ferocity of this inhumane and ruthless member of NPA. We will not stop hunting down the perpetrators. They are indeed considered as a major burden in the society continuously lurking in the community," was part of the statement released by PRO8.
The suspects were identified as Jasper Jarito, Rio Alvino, Acer Turcido, and several John Does.
Initial investigation disclosed that while the operating troops of 805th MC were conducting a combat operation under 'Oplan Stinger Charlie' (unified combat operation) within the vicinity of Brgy. Geparayan De Turag, encountered the NPAs led by the suspects.
The enemy withdrew towards the southeast direction after the firefight. Authorities have yet to identify the number of casualties on the enemy side.
Meanwhile, a village chair was shot to death by still unidentified assailants in Las Navas town.
The victim was identified as Nilo Loyugoy, 53, Brgy. chair of Brgy. Victory. The victim's daughter said her father was shot to death by unidentified suspects using long firearms hitting different parts of his body.
After the incident, the suspects fled while the victim was brought to Las Navas Rural Health Unit for post mortem examination.
Last July 9, a soldier and a village chair were also killed in separate shooting incidents against suspected NPAs.